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Central Texas Model United Nations 2015
The Russian Civil War – White Army
A Letter from the Director
Dear delegates (or should I say comrades?),
I am a third year History and Advertising major here at
the University of Texas at Austin, and I am looking
forward to leading you through one of the most exciting
and confused times in history! You may recognize me
from previous years as the Crisis Director of the Standard
Committees as well as the Crisis Director for the
Athenian Democratic Council. The Russian Civil War
Committee creates the unique scenario of deciding the
future of one the most influential countries of the 20th
century. You will battle it out against each other,
committee against committee, for the right for Russia. It
will be glorious, it will be bloody, and for the hope of
everything it will be oodles of fun. Both committees will
have the responsibility of creating a strategy to defeat the
other in battle; additionally, both sides are concerned with
securing their power and creating stability not only
among their ranks, but also in their respective territory. If
you have any questions about the Committees feel free to
email me at: [email protected].
Sincerely,
Regan Perusse
Background Guide
THE LAST TSAR AND THE BEGINNING OF THE END
To understand how the Bolsheviks were able to seize power of the government and why we are
fighting to end their rule, one must first look at Russia’s past and at the failure of Nicholas II.
When Nicholas II gained power in 1894 after his father Alexander the III died, Russia was
already a hot bed for domestic social unrest. When Alexander III was in power he carried out
conservative policies that revoked all social progress that was made in that last decade. He
eliminated his councils of advisors and severely limited the power of the local assemblies known
as Zemstvos. Additionally, he began a campaign to make Russia as “Russian” as possible, as we
see policies to increase the power of the state even further. However, while Alexander III was
focused on solidifying his power at home, he was an isolationist abroad. He avoided getting
involved in foreign conflicts and didn’t to expand Russia’s borders. Alexander III was an
autocratic ruler, but he recognized that bringing war to Russia would upset the political balance
and send his country into civil war.
When Nicholas II came into power he did not have the same foresight. Nicholas continued his
father's conservative domestic policies further antagonizing the public by limiting their
democratic voice, but also began a new expansionist foreign policy. Nicholas viewed an
isolationist foreign policy as weak, and desired
the prestige that war and conquest brought.
Nicholas’s first target was to expand into
Manchuria, subsequently engaging Japan in a
naval war in 1904. This war dubbed the RussoJapanese war was a disaster, as Russia had
neither the supplies nor the strategy to ensure
victory. The huge distance between Manchuria
and the Russian seat of government lead to huge
logistical issues in transporting both troops and
the navy. Nicholas sent his navy on a nine month
journey to face off with the Japanese to only be
immediately destroyed, and Russia could never
efficiently transport enough troops to fuel the
war. Finally in 1905, Nicholas was forced to recognize that the conflict was futile and admit an
embarrassing defeat. This conflict showed the world that the once great Russian Empire was
only a shadow of its past self.
Amongst the struggles abroad Nicholas II also had intense domestic unrest, starting with an
event titled Bloody Sunday. On January 22nd 1905, a peaceful protest marched on the Winter
Palace to bring the Tsar a workers petition. However, once the protesters arrived the military
guarding the palace opened fire killing 92 individuals and injuring hundreds more. This intense
backlash to civil unrest only worsened the issue and helped create an environment where more
unrest could be fostered on a larger scale - leading to the revolution of 1905. This chaotic and
violent revolution spanned over two and a half
years and was a culmination of protests ranging
from naval mutinies to worker strikes. After the
revolution ended, the Tsar and his Minister of
Finance recognized that true reform needed to
take place in the country otherwise power would
be lost. Nicholas agreed to take part in a limited
constitutional monarchy and expanded the
democratic power of the state with the
reinstallation of Duma. The Duma was a body of
elected officials that could create legislation.
However, most of these changes were too little too late, and were rarely carried out. In 1914,
Russia committed itself to the war effort and joined the Triple Entente which further threw the
country in ruin. The government further lost legitimacy amongst the people with constant and
devastating military failure. In one year Russia suffered almost two million casualties, as most
soldiers in the war had little to no proper equipment. Additionally, the war destroyed the Russian
economy further antagonizing and radicalizing the public, especially in the cities. Finally, in
1917, female workers in St. Petersburg took to the streets demanding bread. The workers called
on their brothers to join them and march on the Winter Palace, the Tsar demanded that the
soldiers shoot the protesters but the soldiers refused and defected. The government unable to
expel or control the protests finally collapsed.
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENTS DON’T FIX BULLET HOLES
Liberal members of the recently formed Duma and radical political parties such as the Petrograd
Soviet saw that the tsarist regime was collapsing and created a provisional government to attempt
to fill the vacuum. On March 14th, 1917 the Petrograd Soviet issued order No. 1, which directed
all soldiers to only listen and follow orders of the soviet. The next day Nicholas II abdicated the
throne, officially giving power to the provisional government. However, the new government,
headed by Kerensky, had a legitimacy problem and also had a lot of infighting. The liberal
members of the Duma and the radical members of the soviet were not interested in cooperating
with each other. Additionally, the soviets had very little representation, with only 1 member
serving within the provisional government itself, leaving the Soviet to rule independently. The
government became very divided, with nobility and reformist thinking Mensheviks present in the
provisional government and Bolsheviks and left leaning parties present in the Soviet. Neither
government could claim full ruling rights while the other existed. The Provisional government
recognizing this, attempted to make a coalition government to gain more popular support - as the
Soviet had the support of most major cities. However, this cooperation was short lived. After the
provisional government attempted to make a small military move, soldiers and workers protested
in the streets which ultimately gave the Bolsheviks more popular support in the cities. In October
1917 a disgruntled conservative military officer who was dismissed from power attacked St.
Petersburg with a small force; the people feared counterrevolution. The fear and unrest in the
streets that resulted in this gave more power to the Soviet. The provisional government attempted
to dampen the Soviet’s power by shutting down Soviet newspapers; however, this had the
opposite effect and created mass protest. Finally, on October 25th, 1917, Lenin declared the
Provisional government dead and the Soviet in Power.
THE CREATION OF THE WHITES
The Unified White Army came into being just days after the October Revolution. Many old highranking officials from both the tsarist and Kerensky governments began stockpiling weapons and
recruiting soldiers with the intention of challenging the Soviet. These former military officers
recognized that forming a unified front with combined resources would be the best approach in
fighting against Lenin’s new government. Now, on March 4th, just weeks after the signing of the
Brest-Litovsk treaty, the Unified White Command came into being and are meeting for the first
time. Many individuals in this command come from very different backgrounds and have very
different political ideologies, but the hope within this organization is to set aside these
differences to fight against a common enemy. Many members in this committee fall into
different contingents in this military, and are for now fighting under the Unified White Army.
This committee is the first ever meeting of the entire UWA, and it comes just weeks after Lenin
and his government signed the Brest-Litovsk treaty. This treaty, as you know, pulled Russia out
of WW1 and also signed over huge swaths of fertile Russian land to the Germans. The goals of
this meeting are clear, the UWA must quickly secure men and resources from anywhere they can
(domestic or abroad) to combat Lenin’s new government. Tactics must be decided on as the war
proceeds and the committee must be prepared for fast and difficult decisions. Committee
members must work together and decide how they want their individual military personnel to
interact and move in respect to each other. This committee is responsible for protecting Russia’s
future and destroying Lenin’s homebrewed Socialist movement before any more damage is done.
Important Locations and Fronts
The White Unified Army is made up of many different armies from all over Russia, therefore the
Army has many different fronts at the start of the Civil War.
The Southern Front
The southern front is where the largest portion of the Unified White Army is located. The bulk of
the troops there are from the Volunteer
Army lead by Lavr Kornilov and Mikhail
Alekseev and Armies of the Cossack
Region lead by Pyotr Krasnov. Upwards of
30,000 troops located in this region at the
start of the war.
The Eastern Siberian Front
The eastern front started as a secret
movement between some military generals
and right winged socialist forces seeking
autonomy and the destruction of the
Bolshevik threat. The eastern front is
comprised of Admiral Alexander Kolchak
and Siberian Provisional government and
Dietrichs and his Czechoslovak legions.
North and Northwestern Fronts
The northern front consists of the White
Northern Army run by Nikolai Yudenich,
Yevgeny Miller, and Anatoly Lieven. The
Northern front is the most inexperienced at the start of the war and has the least international
support.
Petrograd
This urban city was the headquarters of Soviet power. This city holds historic and current
importance for the Red Army as it is the location of the start of their revolution as well as their
current political headquarters.
Moscow
Another urban city important to Soviet power, and due to its more southern location it is a major
target of the Volunteer Army.
Topics to Consider

How to move the army around effectively even with so many different fronts and
different generals

How to secure resources and international aid

How to keep morale high and recruit more soldiers
Characters
General Mikhail Alekseev
Alekseev is a very powerful general, before the revolution, he was involved in fighting in the
Russo-Turkish Wars, Russo-Japanese War, and World War I. During the Great War, Alekseev
was put in charge of the entire European front, and after the February revolution the Provisional
government appointed him Commander and Chief of the army. However, Alekseev had a lot of
conflict with the provisional government and is known for being a part of the arrest of General
Mikhail Kornilov after the Kornilov affair. Following the events of the October revolution
Alekseev fled and helped form what would become the Volunteer Army. Alekseev is very
interested in having and maintaining power in the Unified White Command, and he wants to
crush the Red Army by any means necessary. He is also very close with Lukomsky.
General Lavr Kornilov
Kornilov was a prominent military officer in the Imperial army prior to the Russian Revolution.
After the Russo-Japanese War he became a military ambassador in China and built strong
relations with the Chinese government. When the Provisional government was set up he was
appointed the Supreme Commander and Chief over the army. However, Kornilov became
discontented with the Soviet’s presence within the government and attempted a military coup in
1917 known as the Kornilov affair. This coup failed and Kornilov was arrested, however, he
escaped and fled to the Volunteer Army where he became a commander. Kornilov is very
conservative and hates the Soviets and wishes to destroy them with any means necessary by
using domestic means or international means. Additionally, Kornilov is not entirely happy with
the Unified White command and wishes to assert as much influence as he can. Kornilov is also
very close with Denikin.
Lieutenant General Alexander Lukomsky
Lukomsky was a Lieutenant General in the Russian Stavka, the administrative staff for the
Russian Army. After the events of the October Revolution, Lukomsky fled with General
Alekseev to help form the Volunteer Army. Lukomsky is very close with Alekseev, and is also
concerned with dealing with the Soviet threat.
General Anton Denikin
Anton Denikin was Chief of Staff for both Mikhail Alekseev and then later Lavr Kornilov.
Denikin became a major supporter of Kornilov and helped him with his attempted Coup of the
Provisional Government. He was also arrested but escaped with Kornilov to the Volunteer Army.
Denikin is very close with Kornilov and wants Kornilov to be powerful so he can be powerful.
General Sergey Markov
Markov served under Denikin and helped with Kornilov’s coup. Following their arrest however,
he fled and helped form the Volunteer Army with the previous officials of the old regime.
Markov is more moderate politically than Kornilov and Denikin and is more open to other
members of the Unified Command. Ultimately Markov cares about creating a better Russia and
defeating the Red Army.
Baron Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel
Prior to the October Revolution Wrangel was a commander in the Imperial Army. After the fall
of the Tsarist regime Wrangel became a staunch supporter of Kornilov and Denikin and fled to
Crimea after their arrest. Later he left Crimea to join the Volunteer Army where he was given an
army under his command.
General Vladimir May-Mayevsky
General May-Mayevsky was a leader in charge of the Russian First Guard during WW1. After
the war ended he fled to the volunteer army where he started out as a common soldier but was
recognized for his talent. Now May-Mayevsky is a respected soldier, and is interested in
climbing up the ladder still.
Major General Mikhail Drozdovsky
Drozdovsky was a very important leader within the Imperial Army before the revolution. He was
highly trained in both Aerial and Naval tactics and is very sought after for this knowledge. He is
extremely Anti-Bolshevik and desires to destroy the movement. After the revolution,
Drozdovsky created the White Guard to combat the Bolshevik threat. The White Guard has now
joined forces and has become a part of the Volunteer Army. Drozdovsky is very committed to
his White Guards and the cause of the Volunteer Army.
Admiral Alexander Kolchak
Admiral Kolchak was a very prominent member of the Imperial Navy before the fall of the Tsar.
Kolchak was a supporter of the provisional government and was sent to the United States to learn
about the US Navy techniques. Kolchak viewed the Russian withdrawal from WW1 as
dishonorable and attempted to offer his services to the British Navy. Instead, the British Navy
suggested he return to Russia and oppose the rise of Lenin. Upon his return the Provisional
government was gone and he joined the Anti-Bolshevik cause and pledged his services to the
Volunteer Army. Additionally, Kolchak took over bases in Siberia himself and created the
Provisional Siberian Government. Kolchak is interested in maintaining power in his newly
established government and also destroying the Soviet threat. Also is very close to Pepelyayav.
General Anatoly Pepelyayav
General Pepelyayav was the Lieutenant of Cavalry and fought on the front lines of WW1 in the
Russian Army. After the war, he became Kolchak’s second in command in his Siberian
Provisional Government. He wishes to increase the power and the prestige of the Siberian
Provisional Government by any means necessary, and is very close to Kolchak.
Lieutenant General Grigory Semyonov
Lieutenant Semyonov served in the Russian Imperial Army during WW1. After the fall of the
Tsar, Semyonov was appointed commissar of the Provisional government in the Baikal region.
While commissar, Semyonov attempted to rebel against the Bolsheviks during their rise by
militarizing nearby Syriac Christians. His rebellion was defeated and Semyonov subsequently
fled to Manchuria, where he plotted to regain control of the Transbaikal Territory with the help
of Japanese forces. Semyonov is notorious for his ruthlessness both towards his enemies and also
his forces. He is interested in expanding his sphere of influence and also continuing his relations
with the Japanese.
Baron Roman Nikolai Maximilian von Ungern-Sternberg
Baron Nikolai Maximilian served in the Russian military until Russia pulled out of WW1.
Sternberg fled Russia after the war to the border of Russia and Turkey. Sternberg then worked
alongside Semyonov in recruiting rebellious Syriac Christians into rebellion against the rising
Bolshevik threat. After their rebellion fell apart, Sternberg and Semyonov pledged loyalty to the
anti-Bolshevik forces of the volunteer army and sought to create a strong hold in the Transbaikal
with the few Syriac forces they had left.
General Nikolai Yudenich
Yudenich was a very prominent military commander in WW1. He successfully outmaneuvered
the Turkish forces and won many battles, and became renowned for this strategy. He was the
face of the War and Russian propaganda, and was a celebrity in the city. However, the rise of the
Bolsheviks forced him to retire from the Russian army. However, he eventually took over a
major forces in the Anti-Bolshevik army, later known as the White Northern Army, in an attempt
to still the threat.
Lieutenant general Aleksandr Rodzyanko
Lieutenant Rodzyanko was a prominent soldier and Olympian for the Russian Army and
populace. After the end of the war, he left with Yudenich and joined his White Northern Army.
He is very loyal to Yudenich and the White Northern Army even after it has joined the Larger
Unified White Command.
General Yevgeny Miller
Miller was a Lieutenant General in the Russian Army and fought in the war until the October
revolution. After the revolution he was arrested by his own soldiers after he refused to follow the
Bolshevik commands. He then fled to the White Northern Army and joined up with Rodzyanko
and Yudenich.
Lieutenant General Pyotr Krasnov
Krasnov was a Lieutenant General for the Provisional Government and was sent to quell the
unrest in Petrograd. His mission failed and he was arrested by the Bolsheviks, but was eventually
let go after he promised to end fighting. He immediately joined anti-Bolshevik forces and sought
to gain control of the Cossack territory. Krasnov dislikes the Soviet but also is also willing to talk
to them if it benefits him.
General Mikhail Konstantinovich-Diterikhs
Mikhail Diterikhs was the Chief of Staff for the provisional government, after the October
Revolution he fled to avoid arrest by the Soviets. He fled to Siberia where he was asked by the
Czechoslovak Legions to lead their group against the Soviets. Diterikhs is passionate but
inexperienced and wanting to prove himself among the other members of the Unified White
Command.
President Noe Ramishvili
President Noe Ramishvili is the first president of Georgia. Ramishvili is extremely antiBolshevik and is known for any crushing Soviet talk within his country.
Major General William S Graves
William S. Graves was a Major General in the US military and was sent to Russia with 8,000
American troops by President Wilson to secure American interest. Him and his troops are
currently located in Serbia, and was given the orders to act as a neutral actor in the region.
Graves is very interested in securing America’s economic interests in Russia, and is drawn to the
Trans-Siberian railroad due to its close access to the US.
Admiral Ian Donald
Admiral Ian Donald was sent by the UK and was placed in Northern Russia with 3,000 British
troops. Donald is there to conduct reconnaissance and execute orders of British high command,
additionally he is interested in ending the Bolshevik threat in Russia in order to bring Russia
back to the war against Germany. Donald is trained as an intelligence agent.
General Stanislaw Bulak-Balachowicz
Stanislaw Bulak-Balachowicz is a battle hardened general you was a commander in WW1 where
he continued to fight even after the signing of the Brest-L Treaty. During the beginning of the
Soviet take over he quelled a peasant uprising. After he feared arrest by the Bolsheviks and
escaped to white battle lines. There he was given command of a small assault group.
Balachowicz is interested in war and is loyal to any commander he fights for, he doesn’t so much
care about politics but he does care about peace.
Major General Pavel Bermondt-Avalov
Major General Pavel Bermondt-Avalov served as commander of the White Forces in the Baltic.
Having a reputation as an adventurer, Bermondt seeks to keep the Red Army away from this
region, which he regards as rightful White territory. The German Free Corps have a common
objective of keeping the Reds away; as such, Bermondt-Avalov bears influence on their
decisions.
Maria Spiridonova
Maria Spiridonova was a Russian socialist revolutionary, best known for her assassination of a
police officer in 1905. Having returned after 11 years in Siberia, she then served as leader of the
Left SR. Her efforts toward unity and anti-Bolshevism earned her the position as head of the
Peasant Section of the Central Executive Committee of the All-Russian Soviet of Workers’,
Peasants’ and Soldiers’ Deputies.
Lieutenant General Roman von Ungern-Sternberg
Lieutenant General Roman von Ungern-Sternberg headed a military station at Dauria, where he
developed a fortress to launch attacks on Red forces. Ungern believed that only monarchy could
save Western civilization from ultimate corruption and self-destruction. Inspired by Genghis
Khan’s empire, he sought to occupy Mongolia to restore monarchy from the Far East to Europe.
Prince Anatoly Lieven
Prince Anatoly Lieven, of Baltic German descent, was involved in commanding White
movement in Latvia. Upon White generals forbidding his troops to fight Estonian armies in
Vidzeme, his relations with the White army increased in tension. While the rest of the Baltische
Landeswehr fought, his branch performed rear security duties for the movement.
Options for further research
NOTE ON FURTHER RESEARCH
This time period is a very complicated one both politically and socially, therefore, there is a lot
of information out there to research. Do not get overwhelmed by the pure volume of historical
records. Focus instead on this resource guide and your specific character, and research to fill in
any holes you have. Additionally, feel free to email any of your questions.
RESOURCES
Felshtinsky, Yuri (2010). Lenin and His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–
1924. Enigma Books.
Figes, Orlando (1998). A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution: 1891-1924. Penguin.
Mawdsley, Evan (2009). The Russian Civil War. Pegasus.