Why Did The Bolsheviks Face So Much Opposition Between 1918 And 1924

Why did the Bolsheviks face so much opposition between 1918 and 1924?
Summary of overall line of argument:
There were many reasons for opposition to Bolshevism, for example their attempt to destroy the bourgeoisie, War Communism, civil war, grain seizures and their attitudes towards religion. However, it is my opinion that war and its related issues were the prominent cause for opposition.
Paragraph 1: Intro
Content/Examples:
Bourgeoisie, Peasants, Civil war and War communism, Religion, Cheka – war related issues most important
Opening/Closing Sentences:
The Bolsheviks faced a great deal of opposition in their rule between 1918 and 1924.
Therefore, I am of the opinion that matters involving war were the greatest contributing factors to Bolshevik opposition.
Paragraph 2: Peasants
Content/Examples:
Grain seizures – peasants kept grain due to famine, so grain was taken and distributed to the cities and the military – formation of green armies and general resentment
Opening/Closing Sentences:
The slogan ‘Peace, Land and Bread’ was perhaps the single most important drawing factor for the peasants to the Bolshevik regime.
Thus the peasants were largely dissatisfied, but the grain hoarding only came about as a result of war communism.
Paragraph 3: Civil War and War Communism
Content/Examples:
War communism eradicates policy of peace land and bread – civil war fought to secure the revolution. War communism creates vast resentment and mass famine but sole aim is winning the war, Trotsky’s influence in the military
Opening/Closing Sentences:
War communism was a harsh policy adopted to ensure the Bolsheviks could grind out a result in the civil war.
War communism led on to many other factors that caused opposition, hence I believe it to be the single most important factor.
Paragraph 4: Bourgeoisie and Religion
Content/Examples:
Natural enemies of the regime who represented all that the Bolsheviks hated. Brutally dealt with, formed the majority of the white army.
Opening/Closing Sentences:
The bourgeoisie and the Orthodox Church were the two highest profile groups to have reason to feel threatened by the Bolshevik regime.
Whilst the two groups formed a lot of opposition, they were the natural enemies of Bolshevism, so this does not explain why the opposition was so great.
Paragraph 5: Cheka Force and Terror
Content/Examples:
Extermination of political enemies at whatever cost, essentially a repeat of the Okhrana – caused same resentment. Represented Bolshevik transition to authoritarianism
Opening/Closing Sentences:
The usage of the Cheka was another reason why so many people opposed the Bolshevik regime.
It could be argued, though, that the Cheka was only deemed necessary to help get the Bolsheviks through the Civil War, and thus it could be viewed as simply a branch of war communism.
Paragraph 6: Conclusion
Content/Examples:
War Communism main issue – grain seizures came as a result of war communism, led to resentment from those who should’ve supported Bolshevism – bourgeoisie were always going to rebel.
Opening/Closing Sentences:
In conclusion, I believe that it was the policy of War communism that caused such a great deal of opposition to the Bolshevik regime.
The fact that it disillusioned the peasantry meant that the Bolsheviks were alienating what should have been the main body of their support, so opposition was far more widespread than it should have been.
Vocabulary:
War Communism, Cheka, Whites, Reds, Greens, Bolshevik/Bolshevism, Bourgeoisie, Orthodox Church
Key Individuals:
Lenin, Trotsky
Key Events:
Grain seizures, civil war, creation of green armies, introduction of War communism