The leader of the Red Army during the Russian Civil War was Leon Trotsky. As a key figure in the Bolshevik movement, Trotsky played a pivotal role in organizing and leading the Red Army against the White Army and other anti-Bolshevik forces from 1917 to 1922. His military strategies and charismatic leadership contributed significantly to the Bolshevik victory. Trotsky's vision for post-revolution Russia was one of permanent revolution and international socialism, but he eventually fell out of favor with Joseph Stalin, leading to his exile and eventual assassination.