Lenin Addressing Soldiers

Lenin mobilized the masses with his oratory, but he also used traditional weapons of the Russian Empire such as secret police, imprisonment and torture, and executions. At the time of the civil war, it was more important than ever to keep soldiers loyal. Understanding this, Lenin, with the crucial aid of Leon Trotsky, began building the Red Army into a formidable fighting force. (Rue des Archives / The Granger Collection, NYC—All rights reserved.)