- The Bolsheviks were the 'Reds'
- All groups who opposed them were the 'Whites'
- Whites were mainly: Tsarist officers, Cossacks, Bourgeoisie, Outlawed political groups, International community.
- Whites won early victories in 1918, but the tides turned due to leon Trotsky
- Reds were more organized and central
- Allied intervention was only half-hearted
- Reds controlled the industry and had majority of the population
- Lower classes were generally Red
- Middle and upper class were White
- Peasants were neutral