Atrocities committed by the Whites during the Civil War in the territory of Voronezh Province as a decisive factor in their defeat

Abstract

The term “White” Bolsheviks used to refer to their opponents who were materially and militarily supported by interventionist forces. The aim of the study is to examine the treatment of civilians, prisoners of war, and public property (or material assets) by the Whites in the territory of Voronezh Province during the Civil War and to identify how this influenced their defeat. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that this topic has been scarcely addressed or only briefly mentioned in the works of Voronezh historians. During the study, new sources significant for historical science were introduced into scholarly circulation. The research revealed that the distinctive features of the Whites’ treatment of civilians and prisoners of war included atrocities, violence, looting, pogroms, and destruction of public property. It is noted that the exclusive use of forceful terrorist methods was conditioned by a lack of ideology and the absence of a constructive, socially approved program for the future. The negative image of the Whites, along with other factors, influenced the defection of wavering citizens to the Reds, which ultimately led to the Whites’ defeat.

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About this article

Publication history

• Received: February 22, 2025.
• Published: June 4, 2025.

Keywords

• обращение с военнопленными
• зверства в годы Гражданской войны
• террор белых
• поражение белых в Гражданской войне
• treatment of prisoners of war
• atrocities during the Civil War
• White terror
• defeat of the Whites in the Civil War

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