This Happened - March 18: Red Army Crushes Kronstadt Rebellion
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Why did Lenin suppress the Kronstadt rebellion?
The Bolshevik government under Vladimir Lenin saw the Kronstadt rebellion as a threat to its power and authority. The rebellion was seen as a challenge to the Communist Party's control of the state and the military, and the Bolsheviks feared that it could inspire similar uprisings across the country.
How did the Bolsheviks suppress the Kronstadt rebellion?
The Bolshevik government sent the Red Army to crush the rebellion, with the attack beginning on March 7, 1921. The Red Army surrounded Kronstadt, cutting off the rebels' supplies and communications, and launched a heavy artillery barrage followed by a ground assault. The fighting lasted for several days, with the Red Army ultimately emerging victorious.
What was the impact of the Kronstadt rebellion on the Russian Revolution?
The Kronstadt rebellion marked a turning point in the Bolshevik government's relationship with its supporters and the wider population. Many people who had previously supported the Bolsheviks were disillusioned by the harsh suppression of the rebellion and the government's increasing authoritarianism. It also marked the beginning of a period of economic and political consolidation for the Bolsheviks, as they sought to reaffirm their power and impose greater control over the population.
