Green Army facts for kids

The Green Army was a group of fighters, like local defense groups, that existed in Ukraine during a major conflict known as the Russian Civil War. These groups aimed to protect their local areas and often fought for Ukraine to become an independent country.

What Was the Green Army?

The Green Army was not a single, organized army. Instead, it was made up of many smaller groups of fighters called militias. These militias were often formed by local farmers and villagers. They wanted to protect their homes and lands from the larger armies fighting in the Russian Civil War.

Why Were They Called "Green"?

The name "Green Army" likely came from the forests and rural areas where these groups often hid and operated. Unlike the "Red" (Bolsheviks) or "White" (anti-Bolsheviks) armies, the Green Army focused on local control and protecting their own communities.

Their Goals and Actions

The main goal of many Green Army groups was to achieve Ukrainian independence. They wanted Ukraine to be a free country, not controlled by any of the larger powers fighting in the Russian Civil War.

• Local Control: They mostly focused on controlling small areas of land.
• Limited Campaigns: They rarely launched big attacks against the main armies. Their actions were often about defending their villages or getting supplies.
• No Single Leader: Because they were many separate groups, they didn't have one main leader or a unified plan. This made it hard for them to achieve their bigger goals.

The Russian Civil War Context

The Green Army existed during the Russian Civil War (1917-1922). This was a very confusing time in Eastern Europe. Many different groups were fighting for control after the Russian Revolution.

• Red Army: These were the Bolsheviks, who wanted to create a communist state.
• White Army: These groups were against the Bolsheviks and wanted to restore the old government or create a new one.
• Other Groups: There were also nationalist groups, like some Ukrainian forces, who wanted their own independent countries.

The Green Army often found themselves caught between these larger, more powerful armies. Sometimes they fought against the Reds, sometimes against the Whites, and sometimes they tried to stay neutral.

End of the Green Army

The Green Army never achieved its main goal of gaining full Ukrainian independence. As the Russian Civil War came to an end, the larger armies, especially the Red Army, became stronger.

By 1922, the Soviet Union was established. This new country took control of Ukraine. With the war over and a new powerful government in place, the Green Army militias gradually dissolved. Their fighters either went home, joined other armies, or were defeated.