History of South America

Why did the Russians back out in both world wars?

World War I - 1917: The Russian Revolution and subsequent Civil War

- Growing discontent among the Russian population (peasants, workers, and soldiers)

- Failure to address socioeconomic problems and military setbacks in the war

- The overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II in February 1917

- Formation of the provisional government headed by Alexander Kerensky

- Bolsheviks (communist) revolution led by Vladimir Lenin in November 1917

- Soviet power emerged, focused on consolidating control, ending Russia's involvement in WWI, and addressing internal chaos

- Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed in March 1918, officially ending Russia's participation in World War I

World War II - 1944: No withdrawal; rather, advancing eastward during the later stages

- Contrary to the assumption, the Russians did not back out of World War II.

- Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 marked their formal entry into the war.

- The Soviet military experienced initial defeats but then managed to turn the tide in their favor.

- In fact, the Soviet Union expanded territories during World War II, incorporating portions of Eastern Europe and the Baltic States.

- The war ended with the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.