America's Secret War Against Bolshevism: U.S. Intervention in the Russian Civil War, 1917-1920

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From the Russian revolutions of 1917 to the end of the Civil War in 1920, Woodrow Wilson's administration sought to oppose the Bolsheviks in a variety of covert ways. Drawing on previously unavailable American and Russian archival material, David Foglesong chronicles both sides of this secret war and reveals a new dimension to the first years of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry. Foglesong explores the evolution of Wilson's ambivalent attitudes toward socialism and revolution before 1917 and analyzes the social and cultural origins of American anti-Bolshevism. Constrained by his espousal of the principle of self-determination, by idealistic public sentiment, and by congressional restrictions, Wilson had to rely on secretive methods to affect the course of the Russian Civil War. The administration provided covert financial and military aid to anti-Bolshevik forces, established clandestine spy networks, concealed the purposes of limited military expeditions to northern Russia and Siberia, and delivered ostensibly humanitarian assistance to soldiers fighting to overthrow the Soviet government. In turn, the Soviets developed and secretly funded a propaganda campaign in the United States designed to mobilize public opposition to anti-Bolshevik activity, promote American-Soviet economic ties, and win diplomatic recognition from Washington. Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Development of Wilsons Attitudes toward Intervention before 1913 Major Influences on Wilsonian Policy toward Mexico Methods of Intervention in Mexico The Development of Wilsons Views of Revolution and Socialism Lansing's Views of Socialism and Revolution Colonel House, Socialism, and Revolution Racism, Nativism, and Anti-Semitism Cultural Revolution vs. лPuritanism " The Enemy Within and the Enemy Without Nativismy Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Anti-Bolshevism “Puritanism ” vs. Bolshevism AMBASSADOR BORIS BAKHMETEFF AND U.S. EFFORTS TO RESTORE “DEMOCRACY” Recognition of “Loyal Russia,” Nonrecognition of the Bolsheviks Soviet Efforts to Expose the Role of the Bakhmeteff Embassy AMERICAN COVERT AID TO ANTI-BOLSHEVIKS IN SOUTH RUSSIA. 1917-1918 The Fall of Kerensky and the Rise of Kaledin Early Proposals for Aid to South Russia Discussions in London, November 1917 Secret Discussions in Paris, Early December ipiy Watchful Waiting in Washington, November 30—December io, 1917 Lansing and Wilson Decide to Support Kaledin London and Paris, Late December 1917 Poole's Intelligence Mission to South Russia, December 1917—January 1918 Competing Counsels: Colonel House vs. Robert Lansing and Charles Crane Overcoming Resistance from Subordinates and Obstacles to Funding Anglo-American Financial Cooperation, January—February ipi8 Conclusion 1. The Development of a Wilsonian Style of Intervention 2. The Origins of American Anti-Bolshevism 3. Keeping Faith With Russia: Ambassador Boris Bakhmeteff and U.S. Efforts to Restore "Democracy" 4. The British Connection: American Covert Aid to Anti-Bolsheviks in South Russia, 1917-1918 5. Intelligence Gathering, Propaganda, and Covert Action in Revolutionary Russia 6. American Intervention in Siberia, 1918-1920: The Search For Anti-Bolshevik "Nuclei" And "Strong Men" 7. Fighting, But Not A War: American Intervention in North Russia, 1918-1919 8. Food As a Weapon Against Bolshevism: American "Humanitarian" Intervention in the Baltic Region, 1919 9. The Struggle Against Intervention: Soviet Policy Toward America, 1917-1920 Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index