Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army

The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, often referred to as the Red Army, was established by the Bolshevik government following the Russian Revolution of 1917. Initially formed on a voluntary basis, it became a compulsory service for workers and peasants in April 1918. Leon Trotsky was instrumental in its creation and early development. The army's ranks were filled with workers and peasants, and it faced the challenge of building a competent officer corps, which was addressed by integrating former imperial army officers. Political commissars were assigned to units to ensure loyalty and conduct propaganda. The Red Army played a crucial role in the Russian Civil War, ultimately defending the Bolshevik government. The name "Red Army" was officially dropped in 1946.1