An armed conflict within the former Russian Empire broke out following the collapse of the Russian Provisional Government in 1917. The fighting took place between the Red Army of the newly established Bolshevik (communist) government and the White Army (Russian anticommunists), which had the support of international forces (mainly Japanese, British, French and American). During that war, about nine million people from both sides died in the fighting, from famine, diseases, epidemics, and pogroms. The Red Army won the war and established the Soviet Union in place of the Russian Empire.

Following the abdication of the Russian King (Tsar) Nikolay II and the first Russian revolution in February 1917, the Russian Provisional Government was established. However, in October 1917, the second revolution occurred when communist (Bolshevik) ...