American Intervention in Russia, 1917-1918: A Study in Political-Military Relationships

The intervention in Russia in 1918 was a momentous decision in American military and diplomatic history. In the chaotic months between January and July 1918, Wilson developed and implemented America's foreign policy toward the Russian revolution. As Wilson developed America's strategy, Russia was being town apart first by war, then revolution, and finally civil war. This study examines the interaction between the American civilian and military leaders over the foreign policy decision to intervene in Russia. The focus of the study is on the extent of interaction of the American military leaders with President Wilson and his cabinet in regard to the final decision to intervene in Russia. Secondary sources such as George F. Kennan, David F. Trask, and Betty M. Unterberger are used in conjunction with various memoirs and most importantly Woodrow Wilson's Presidential Papers as edited by Arthur S. Link. Chapter one provides an insight into the history of Russia prior to the Brest-Litovsk treaty of 1918. This treaty confronted the Allies with a major crisis concerning the removal of the Russian front. The Allies discovered that they could intervene in Russia under the pretext of restoring the Republican government, expelling the Germans, and influencing postwar Russia. The treaty also gave the Allies added leverage to convince the Americans to intervene. A review of the decision of the Wilson administration to intervene in Russia is essential insight in understanding the American policies of the period. Chapter two concentrates on the political makeup of the American government in 1917-1918. This chapter gives an overview of the key military and political leaders that advised President Wilson on the decision to intervene.