The Time USA Invaded Russia

Remember the time the US invaded Russia?

Just over 100 years ago at the tail end of World War I, the United States invaded the Soviet Union.

The US government chalked it off as a “stabilization mission.” The year before, a communist revolution had erupted in Russia following its military collapse. The demise of the Czarist government, fears of “Red” Communism’s global spread, and anxiety over Japanese territorial designs on Siberia, and a desire to rescue 40,000 Czech allies forced America’s hand.

American, British, and French forces intervened across Russia in 1918 to assist the counter-revolutionary movement. That summer, the American Expeditionary Force, Siberia deployed 5,000 soldiers to Arkhangelsk.

The intervention went poorly. Vaguely defined as a “self-defense” mission, the Americans failed to defend stocks of American goods, restore their Russian ally, or stem the tide of Communism.

Fighting continued well after the WWI armistice. After 9 months the last American soldiers left, leaving 235 dead behind.

How do you think history might have been different if the US had succeeded in its "stabilization mission"?

#themilitaryshow

[rar]

It’s incorrect to say the Soviet Union, because it was founded in 1922

[jackzimmer]

The US wasn’t the only nation to send troops to northern Russia. It was a whole group of Western nations. Regardless, it did not go well.

[ssglbc]

Fun fact: more American soldiers died in the Russian civil war than the Persian gulf war

[blewis]

There were British, French and “white (anti communist)Russians “who also participated in the fighting around Archangelsk….as part of a interventionist operation…it was also reported that elements of the Czech legion participated as well…

[OkamiiSenpai]

This is a very anecdotal and miniscule slice of what happened. It's actually a fairly interesting event, and I'd encourage those interested to look it up. It was a multi national affair.

[LosRelampagos]

Nobody remembers because it was NEVER mentioned in school history books.
Not even the teachers knew about it.

[bstrakos]

The US Marines there were using Russian rifles because they might not had ammo for the standard issue rifles.

[Outlier-dbsq]

Fun fact: Woodrow Wilson did not want to send American troops to Russia; he was uncertain whether the U.S. had any authority or legitimacy to interfere with Russia's revolution and civil war, but his hand was pressured by the Allied powers to intervene. The U.S. had clearly just established itself as a military superpower and international player after WWI, an image they themselves couldn't escape or ignore

[billwilson-esyn]

I once owned a large hardback book that was about WW1 and included the Western intervention in Russia. It was published by a popular magazine so had plenty of photographs of the armored Russian trains and the rescued Slavic soldiers hamming it up for the cameras.

[darkgladiator]

People Russia and America were once allies

[lauriestlyon]

Now THIS is an historical fact I did not know! Need to check this out.

[lolexplosions]

I enjoyed the history lesson thank you

[joselitostotomas]

It was weird to see the battle honor "Vladivostok" on the 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds"

[abrahamdozer]

The Canadians did too. After four grueling years in Flanders and France, the Canadian Corps was landed in Vladivostok to fight the Bolsheviks.

[elite_ace]

Yo can I please ask you what program or app you use for all the cool models of airplanes, cars and weapons in your videos

[dennischi]

The 31st “Polar Bear” Infantry Regiment participated in this operation in the Vladivostok region as well. And that’s where they got their nickname and regimental insignia. Many years later it was virtually annihilated by the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army during the Korean War in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in November, 1950. The regimental flag was captured by the Chinese and is now in display at the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution in Beijing.

[mitchellculberson]

I recall it.I was 13 then & I missed The Great War but I got on on the next 6 wars

[deb]

American autocracy would be established. God saved Russia and USSR was born in 1922 which caused nightmare and absolute panics in the hearts of every Americans.

[Section_CdnIntelService]

It wasn't only the Yanks. There were military units from several different countries. As usual America forgets its allies.

[stevesutton]

Did you forget that WE the U.S.was assisting the government