Background
Frunze, Mikhail was born on February 2, 1885 in Pishpek (now Frunze, capital of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic). Son of a Moldavian assistant army surgeon.
military commander Revolutionary
Frunze, Mikhail was born on February 2, 1885 in Pishpek (now Frunze, capital of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic). Son of a Moldavian assistant army surgeon.
Grew up in Vernii (now Alma-Ata). As a student at the Petersburg Polytechnic, joined the Bolsheviks, and was sent to organize workers in the textile industry near Moscow, 1904. Leader of large strikes during the 1905 Revolution (Ivanovo-Voznesensk, Shuia).
Imprisoned, 1909-1910, and exiled, 1910-1916. Escaped, 1916. Party agitator among troops during W WI. After the February Revolution 1917, returned to Ivanovo-Voznesensk. One of the organizers of the Bolshevik take-over in Moscow during the October Revolution 1917.
During the Civil War, gained fame as a talented organizer and commander (against Kolchak, 1918). Commanded the Red armies which conquered Central Asia, defeating the Emir of Bukhara. At the end of the Civil War, in charge of the military campaign against Wrangel in the Crimea.
Telegraphed Lenin on 16 November 1920 reporting the victory and the end of the Civil War in the Crimea. Member of the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party, 1921. Minister for Military and Naval Affairs and Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR, January 1925.
Wrote on military theory and strategy. Head of the Military Academy later renamed after him. Personally popular with the troops, aroused jealousy among party leaders.
A fictionalized description of his death appeared in Povest Nepogashennoi Luny by Pilniak.