4. What was the civil war between the "Reds"

and the "Whites"? Who was on whose sides?

(forces led by Lenin or led by Tsar Nicholas II).

Answer: "Whites" is the expression that covers all the oppositional forces against "Reds" (Bolsheviks and their armed forces). Tsar Nicolas II was not the chief commander of "Whites" because he and his family were executed at the very beginning of the Civil War (July 1918). Civil war started in May 1918 and lasted till 1922. Red army was founded in January 1918 (and initially led by Leon Trotsky). For the Bolshevik government the first ennemy was the old (imperial) military headquarters which was not completely ready to fight against Bolsheviks and, moreover, there was a conviction that Bolsheviks would not stay in power. Monarchy was criticized already before the war and did not have a significant authority. "Whites" is not synonymous with "monarchists". Tsar himself abdicated already in February 1917. "Reds" were led by Lenin and Trotsky. Those who fought against them considered their ideology (inspired by Karl Marx) too radical.

Explanation: Tsar Nicolas did not and could not lead "Whites". He was executed already in July 1918 (by Bolsheviks).