2019 №3 (64) Article 4

N. A. Kopylov

THE CZECHOSLOVAK CORPS IN WORLD WAR I AND THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION: FROM NEUTRALITY TO CONFRONTATION

UDC 940.414.7(=162.3)

 

The events of the Russian Revolution of 1917 had a great impact on the fates of people attempting to gain nationhood. National military formations served as an important prerequisite for success in the conditions of a global conflict fought in Europe. The article focuses on the role of the Czechoslovak Corps in World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917–1918. It analyzes the actions of the Czechoslovak Corps through the prism of modern data gathered by Russian and foreign researchers. The author focuses on the development of the attitude of Czech military officials and political forces to the revolutionary events of 1917, which changed from neutrality to armed confrontation. As a result of a truce between Russia and world powers, the Czechoslovak Corps felt extremely vulnerable. The military actions of Czechoslovak Corps aimed against the Soviet State were supported by allied forces, which viewed the campaign as an attempt to reset an anti-German front in Russia. Czech political leaders viewed this opportunity as a guarantee of Czechoslovak independence and hoped to have advantages when discussing the issue of historical boundaries of Czechoslovakia at the Peace Conference to be held in Paris.

 

World War I; Russian Revolution; Czechoslovak Corps; Paris Peace Conference; Russian Civil War

 

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