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Total Categories: 6
Vladimir Lenin proposed replacing the standing army with a people's militia in September 1917 to prevent the restoration of the Tsarist regime.
Answer: True
Vladimir Lenin advocated for the arming of the populace and the creation of a people's militia in September 1917, positing this as a measure to forestall the re-establishment of the Tsarist regime.
By September 1917, the Imperial Russian Army had approximately 500,000 deserters.
Answer: False
General Nikolay Dukhonin's estimates in September 1917 indicated approximately 2 million deserters from the Imperial Russian Army, reflecting a state of profound collapse.
The Red Army was officially formed on January 28, 1918, by a decree signed by Leon Trotsky.
Answer: False
The Red Army was officially formed on January 28, 1918, by a decree of the Council of People's Commissars, not solely by Leon Trotsky.
The initial enlistment criteria for the Red Army required all applicants to have prior military experience.
Answer: False
Initial enlistment in the Red Army was open to any citizen of the Russian republic aged 18 or older, with guarantees required from committees rather than prior military experience.
Leon Trotsky implemented a policy allowing the election of officers within the Red Army in June 1918.
Answer: False
Contrary to the assertion, in June 1918, Leon Trotsky abolished the practice of electing officers within the Red Army, instituting a more traditional hierarchical command structure to enhance discipline and operational effectiveness.
Former Tsarist officers, known as 'voenspetsy', constituted the majority of Red Army divisional and corps commanders by mid-August 1920.
Answer: True
By mid-August 1920, former Tsarist officers, termed 'voenspetsy', comprised 75% of Red Army divisional and corps commanders, underscoring their critical role in the army's operational capacity.
The Revolutionary Military Council (RMC) was established in 1917 to oversee the initial formation of the Red Army.
Answer: False
The Revolutionary Military Council (RMC) was established on September 2, 1918, to serve as the primary military administration during the Civil War, not in 1917 for initial formation.
The first period of the Russian Civil War, as described, ended with the armistice of World War I.
Answer: True
The initial phase of the Russian Civil War, from October 1917 to November 1918, concluded concurrently with the armistice that ended World War I.
In 1919, White Army offensives against the Red Army were led by Generals Denikin, Trotsky, and Yudenich.
Answer: False
The White Army offensives in 1919 were primarily led by Generals Anton Denikin, Aleksandr Kolchak, and Nikolai Yudenich. Leon Trotsky was a prominent figure within the Red Army command structure, not a White Army general.
Red Army Day, February 23, 1918, commemorates the first combat operations against the Imperial German Army and the start of conscription.
Answer: True
February 23, 1918, designated as Red Army Day, commemorates two pivotal events: the commencement of conscription and the initiation of combat engagements against the Imperial German Army.
The nationalization of Cossack lands by the Bolsheviks led to an alliance with General Kaledin's forces against the Red Army.
Answer: False
The Bolshevik nationalization of Cossack lands precipitated an insurrection by General Kaledin's Volunteer Army against the Bolshevik regime, rather than fostering an alliance.
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk strengthened the Red Army by allowing it to focus on internal conflicts after fulfilling international obligations.
Answer: False
While the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk did permit the Red Army to concentrate on internal conflicts, the treaty itself represented a significant territorial concession and aggravated Russia's political situation, thus it did not inherently 'strengthen' the Red Army in a broader strategic sense.
Leon Trotsky was appointed the first supreme commander-in-chief of the Red Army upon its formation.
Answer: False
Nikolai Krylenko was appointed the first supreme commander-in-chief of the Red Army upon its formation, not Leon Trotsky.
What was the official period of activity for the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army?
Answer: January 28, 1918, to February 25, 1946
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army was active from January 28, 1918, to February 25, 1946, encompassing its formation during the Russian Civil War through its existence as the primary military force of the Soviet Union until its renaming.
Who proposed the creation of a people's militia to replace the standing army in September 1917?
Answer: Vladimir Lenin
Vladimir Lenin proposed the creation of a people's militia in September 1917 as a means to replace the standing army and prevent the restoration of the Tsarist regime.
According to General Dukhonin's estimates in September 1917, approximately how many soldiers had deserted the Imperial Russian Army?
Answer: 2 million
General Nikolay Dukhonin's estimates in September 1917 indicated approximately 2 million deserters from the Imperial Russian Army, reflecting the severe disarray within its ranks.
By whom was the Red Army officially formed on January 28, 1918?
Answer: The Council of People's Commissars
The Red Army was officially formed on January 28, 1918, through a decree issued by the Council of People's Commissars.
Which of the following was NOT an initial purpose stated for the Red Army's formation?
Answer: Guaranteeing the repayment of Tsarist-era foreign debts.
The stated initial purposes for the Red Army's formation included defending Soviet authority, transforming the army into a national force, and supporting the socialist revolution in Europe. Repaying Tsarist debts was not among these stated objectives.
What policy did Leon Trotsky introduce in June 1918 that reversed earlier practices?
Answer: Abolishing dissent and criminalizing it with the death penalty.
In June 1918, Leon Trotsky abolished the election of officers and instituted the death penalty for dissent, thereby reversing earlier practices and reinforcing centralized command and party loyalty.
What percentage of Red Army divisional and corps commanders were former Tsarist officers (voenspetsy) by mid-August 1920?
Answer: 75%
By mid-August 1920, former Tsarist officers, known as 'voenspetsy', constituted 75% of the Red Army's divisional and corps commanders, highlighting their indispensable role in military leadership.
The Revolutionary Military Council (RMC), headed by Trotsky, was established primarily for what purpose?
Answer: To serve as the primary military administration during the Civil War.
Established on September 2, 1918, the Revolutionary Military Council (RMC), under Leon Trotsky's leadership, functioned as the central military administration responsible for organizing and directing the Red Army throughout the Civil War.
Which White Army general led offensives from the south against the Red Army in 1919?
Answer: Anton Denikin
In 1919, General Anton Denikin commanded the White Army offensives originating from the south against the Red Army.
The significance of Red Army Day on February 23, 1918, is tied to:
Answer: The first day of conscription and first combat operations against German forces.
Red Army Day, February 23, 1918, commemorates both the initiation of conscription and the commencement of combat operations against the Imperial German Army.
The Bolshevik nationalization of Cossack lands in November 1917 directly led to:
Answer: An insurrection by General Kaledin's Volunteer Army against the Bolsheviks.
The Bolshevik nationalization of Cossack lands provoked an insurrection by General Kaledin's Volunteer Army, marking a significant early event in the Russian Civil War.
How did the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk impact the Red Army's focus?
Answer: It freed the Bolshevik government from international obligations, allowing focus on internal conflicts.
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, while harsh, allowed the Bolshevik government to withdraw from international conflict, thereby enabling the Red Army to concentrate its resources on combating internal anti-Bolshevik forces.
The Great Purge led to the adoption of the 'deep operation' doctrine in Soviet military strategy for conflicts like Lake Khasan.
Answer: False
The Great Purge resulted in the abandonment, not adoption, of the 'deep operation' doctrine, significantly impacting Soviet military strategy and its application in subsequent conflicts.
Personal ranks were introduced into the Red Army on September 22, 1935, mixing functional titles with traditional ranks.
Answer: True
The introduction of personal ranks on September 22, 1935, marked a significant organizational shift, establishing a hybrid system that incorporated both functional titles and traditional military ranks.
The Vesna Case involved the purging of Imperial German officers who had joined the Red Army.
Answer: False
The Vesna Case primarily targeted former officers and generals of the Imperial Russian Army who had subsequently joined the Red Army, not Imperial German officers.
The Soviet Union relied entirely on foreign imports for its weaponry during the 1920s and 1930s due to a lack of industrial capacity.
Answer: False
Contrary to relying entirely on foreign imports, the Soviet Union, under Stalin's industrialization drive, substantially developed its domestic arms industry during the 1920s and 1930s, equipping the Red Army with indigenous weaponry.
The 'deep operation' doctrine focused on frontal assaults and attrition warfare to defeat enemy forces.
Answer: False
The 'deep operation' doctrine emphasized maneuver warfare, involving simultaneous, deep attacks across the entire enemy front, rather than frontal assaults and attrition.
The Great Purge of 1937-1939 had what significant effect on Red Army doctrine?
Answer: It caused the abandonment of the 'deep operation' doctrine.
The Great Purge of 1937-1939 led to the removal of key military theorists and commanders, resulting in the abandonment of the 'deep operation' doctrine and hindering its application in subsequent conflicts.
How did the Great Purge negatively impact the Red Army's readiness for World War II?
Answer: It reduced morale and efficiency due to the execution/imprisonment of experienced officers.
The Great Purge severely undermined the Red Army's readiness by eliminating experienced officers, thereby diminishing morale, combat efficiency, and overall leadership capability prior to World War II.
When were personal ranks officially introduced in the Red Army, creating a unique mixed system?
Answer: 1935
Personal ranks were officially introduced into the Red Army on September 22, 1935, establishing a hybrid system that combined functional titles with traditional military ranks.
What was the 'Vesna Case' primarily concerned with?
Answer: Repressions targeting former Imperial Russian Army officers serving in the Red Army.
The 'Vesna Case' (1930-1931) constituted a significant purge targeting former officers of the Imperial Russian Army who had joined the Red Army, preceding the larger Great Purge.
What was the Soviet Union's strategy regarding arms production in the 1920s and 1930s?
Answer: Developing a strong indigenous arms industry as part of Stalin's industrialization.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the Soviet Union prioritized the development of a robust indigenous arms industry as a core component of Stalin's industrialization program, ensuring domestic production of weaponry for the Red Army.
The 'deep operation' doctrine, developed in the 1920s-30s, emphasized:
Answer: Simultaneous, deep maneuvers across the entire enemy front.
The 'deep operation' doctrine advocated for coordinated, large-scale maneuvers and attacks executed simultaneously across the entire depth of enemy territory, aiming for decisive operational breakthroughs.
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army ceased operations immediately after the end of World War II in Europe.
Answer: False
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army continued its operations beyond the cessation of hostilities in Europe in May 1945, ultimately being renamed the Soviet Army in February 1946.
The Red Army was responsible for approximately 50% of German losses on the Eastern Front during World War II.
Answer: False
The Red Army was responsible for a substantially larger proportion of German losses on the Eastern Front, estimated between 75% and 80%, rather than the stated 50%.
The Red Army played a minor role in the Allied victory in the European theatre of World War II, primarily engaging secondary German forces.
Answer: False
The Red Army played a pivotal role in the Allied victory in the European theatre of World War II, constituting the largest ground force and bearing the brunt of combat against Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front.
The Red Army accounted for what approximate percentage of German losses on the Eastern Front during WWII?
Answer: 75-80%
The Red Army inflicted approximately 75% to 80% of the total German losses sustained on the Eastern Front during World War II, underscoring its decisive role in that theater.
The Red Army's significant contribution to the Allied victory in World War II was primarily through:
Answer: Providing the largest ground force and defeating Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front.
The Red Army's primary contribution to the Allied victory was its role as the largest ground force, decisively engaging and defeating Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front.
In June 1941, the Red Army possessed nearly 30,000 operational tanks, making its mechanized corps formidable.
Answer: False
While the Red Army's mechanized corps were theoretically structured to include nearly 30,000 tanks in June 1941, the actual number of operational tanks available was considerably lower, approximately 17,000. Furthermore, many of these were obsolete or poorly maintained, rendering the corps less formidable than the theoretical strength suggested.
The Soviet government boosted Red Army morale during WWII by reinstating Tsarist-era symbols and encouraging religious worship.
Answer: False
During World War II, the Soviet government employed propaganda emphasizing the defense of the Motherland and drew upon historical Russian military traditions. While religious repression was temporarily eased and formal military ranks were restored, the claim of reinstating Tsarist-era symbols is not directly supported by the provided information.
Ethnic Russians accounted for the largest number of Red Army losses during World War II.
Answer: True
The data indicates that ethnic Russians sustained the highest number of casualties within the Red Army during World War II, with figures exceeding 5.7 million killed or missing.
The official Red Army losses in WWII, including missing personnel, were approximately 11 million.
Answer: False
The officially reported losses for the Red Army during World War II, including killed in action, disease deaths, and missing personnel, totaled approximately 8.6 million. While some estimates place the total dead as high as 11 million, this figure was not the official accounting.
Ethnic Ukrainians suffered the second-highest number of losses within the Red Army during World War II.
Answer: True
Data confirms that ethnic Ukrainians constituted the second-largest group in terms of Red Army losses during World War II, following ethnic Russians.
The Red Army's logistical challenges in 1941 were exacerbated by the need to relocate industry east of the Urals.
Answer: True
The logistical strain on the Red Army in 1941 was indeed intensified by the imperative to relocate industrial capacity eastward, away from the advancing German forces.
The concept of 'Guards units' was introduced to denote units that had surrendered to the enemy.
Answer: False
The designation of 'Guards units' was established to honor exceptionally heroic and high-performing formations, signifying elite status rather than surrender.
The term 'paper tiger' used to describe the Red Army's mechanized corps in June 1941 referred to:
Answer: The large number of tanks, but their poor maintenance and obsolescence.
The designation 'paper tiger' for the Red Army's mechanized corps in June 1941 highlighted the discrepancy between theoretical strength and practical effectiveness, stemming from issues such as poor maintenance, obsolescence, and insufficient numbers of operational tanks.
Which of the following was a measure taken by the Soviet government to boost Red Army morale during WWII?
Answer: Restoring formal military ranks and the Guards unit designation.
To bolster morale during World War II, the Soviet government reinstated formal military ranks and introduced the 'Guards' designation for elite units, alongside propaganda emphasizing patriotic defense.
Which ethnic group suffered the highest number of killed or missing personnel in the Red Army during World War II?
Answer: Russians
Ethnic Russians sustained the highest number of casualties within the Red Army during World War II, with figures exceeding 5.7 million killed or missing.
What was the official total number of Red Army losses reported during World War II?
Answer: 8,668,400
The official reported losses for the Red Army during World War II, encompassing killed in action, deaths from disease, and missing personnel, amounted to 8,668,400.
Which of the following best describes the condition of the Red Army's mechanized corps in June 1941?
Answer: Theoretically numerous but practically ineffective due to poor maintenance and obsolete equipment.
In June 1941, the Red Army's mechanized corps, while theoretically large, suffered from practical ineffectiveness due to poor maintenance, obsolete equipment, and insufficient operational readiness.
What was the total value of US Lend-Lease deliveries to the USSR during World War II?
Answer: Approximately $11 billion
Through the Lend-Lease program, the United States provided approximately $11 billion worth of materials to the USSR during World War II, significantly supporting the Soviet war effort.
Mass rapes committed by Soviet soldiers were notably documented in which occupied territory during and after World War II?
Answer: Germany
Wartime sexual violence, including mass rapes committed by Soviet soldiers, was notably documented in occupied Germany during and after World War II.
The Winter War resulted in Finland retaining its sovereignty but ceding significant territory to the Soviet Union.
Answer: True
The conclusion of the Winter War via the Moscow Peace Treaty saw Finland retain its sovereignty while ceding substantial territory and economic assets to the Soviet Union.
The Red Army's performance in the Winter War was hindered by the Great Purge's execution of experienced Finnish officers.
Answer: False
The Great Purge hindered the Red Army's performance in the Winter War due to the execution and imprisonment of its own experienced Soviet officers, not Finnish ones. The purge's impact on Soviet leadership quality was a significant factor in the army's struggles.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact enabled the Red Army to invade Poland and subsequently attack Finland.
Answer: True
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact provided the geopolitical framework that enabled the Red Army's subsequent actions, including the invasion of Poland and the initiation of the Winter War against Finland.
The proposed Soviet invasion of Hokkaido was successfully executed following the invasion of Manchuria.
Answer: False
The proposed Soviet invasion of Hokkaido was planned but ultimately cancelled following Japan's announcement of surrender, meaning it was not successfully executed.
What was a major consequence for the Soviet Union following the Winter War against Finland?
Answer: Heavy losses and damage to its international reputation, despite territorial gains.
The Winter War resulted in substantial Soviet military losses and significant damage to its international standing, despite the territorial concessions extracted from Finland.
The Moscow Peace Treaty, ending the Winter War, required Finland to:
Answer: Cede territory and economic assets while retaining sovereignty.
The Moscow Peace Treaty concluded the Winter War, obligating Finland to cede territory and economic assets while crucially maintaining its sovereignty.
What was the primary objective of the Red Army during the Soviet invasion of Manchuria in August 1945?
Answer: To overwhelm the Japanese Kwantung Army and secure Soviet interests.
The Soviet invasion of Manchuria aimed to decisively defeat the Japanese Kwantung Army and secure Soviet strategic interests in the region following the conclusion of hostilities in Europe.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact influenced the Red Army's actions in 1939 by facilitating:
Answer: The invasion of Poland and subsequent attack on Finland.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact created the conditions for the Red Army's invasion of Poland in September 1939 and its subsequent military actions against Finland in the Winter War.
The cancellation of the proposed Soviet invasion of Hokkaido was a direct result of:
Answer: Japan's announcement of surrender.
The planned Soviet invasion of Hokkaido was cancelled subsequent to Japan's announcement of surrender, thereby averting the operation.
The Cheka's role within the Red Army was primarily to organize troop movements and logistics.
Answer: False
The Cheka's function within the Red Army was focused on internal security and political control, employing punitive brigades for suppressing dissent and executing 'enemies of the state,' rather than logistical operations.
During WWII, NKVD officers (osobisty) within the Red Army had the power to sentence soldiers to death.
Answer: True
Indeed, during the Great Patriotic War, the osobist, functioning as NKVD military counter-intelligence officers, wielded considerable authority within the Red Army, including the power to impose capital punishment.
The early Red Army abolished ranks and epaulettes, preferring functional titles like 'Commander'.
Answer: True
In its formative period, the Red Army deliberately eschewed traditional Tsarist military structures, abolishing ranks and epaulettes in favor of functional titles such as 'Commander' to signify a break from the past.
Political commissars (politruks) had the authority to overrule commanders in Red Army units to ensure Communist Party loyalty.
Answer: True
The system of political commissars (politruks) was designed to ensure unwavering loyalty to the Communist Party, granting them the authority to countermand the decisions of military commanders.
The reintroduction of epaulettes in 1943 signified the official endorsement of the term 'officer' in the Red Army.
Answer: True
The reintroduction of epaulettes in early 1943 coincided with the official endorsement of the term 'officer' and the abolition of remaining functional ranks, signifying a return to more traditional military insignia.
How did the Cheka contribute to maintaining control within the Red Army?
Answer: By using punitive brigades for summary executions and hostage-taking.
The Cheka maintained control within the Red Army by deploying punitive brigades tasked with suppressing opposition through summary executions and hostage-taking, thereby enforcing political loyalty.
What power did the osobist (NKVD officers) hold within the Red Army during WWII?
Answer: The power to condemn soldiers to death or spare their lives.
During World War II, the osobist, acting as NKVD counter-intelligence officers, possessed significant authority, including the power to sentence individuals to death, thereby enforcing internal security and political control.
The early Red Army's approach to military structure involved:
Answer: Abolishing the term 'officer' and using functional titles instead.
The early Red Army eschewed traditional officer structures, abolishing the term 'officer' and employing functional titles to signify a departure from Tsarist military traditions.
What change occurred in 1940 regarding the Red Army's rank system?
Answer: The ranks of General and Admiral replaced senior functional ranks.
In 1940, the Red Army rationalized its rank system by replacing senior functional titles, such as Combrig and Comdiv, with the more traditional ranks of General and Admiral.
What was the primary function of the political commissar system in the Red Army?
Answer: To ensure political loyalty and ideological conformity.
The political commissar system was instituted to guarantee political loyalty to the Communist Party and maintain ideological conformity within Red Army units, often granting commissars authority to override military commanders.
In early 1943, the Red Army officially endorsed the term 'officer' and reintroduced what visual insignia?
Answer: Epaulettes
In early 1943, the Red Army officially endorsed the term 'officer' and reintroduced epaulettes as a primary visual insignia for rank.