Summary War Communism and New Economic Policy - A Complete Study Guide
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Course
History
Institution
3rd Degree
**War Communism and the New Economic Policy: Lenin’s Economic Strategies During Turmoil**
This document outlines the economic policies introduced by Lenin during a period of significant hardship in Russia, specifically focusing on War Communism and its aftermath, culminating in the introductio...
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Course : History
Theme : Interwar Period in Russia
Topic : War Communism and the New Economic Policy
Years : 1918 – 1928
In Text
In the spring of 1918, as people began to riot in several Russian cities due to food and
basic necessities shortages, Lenin introduced War Communism, a dramatic economic
policy aimed at overcoming these issues and keeping the Red Army supplied. Under
War Communism, the state took control of the means of production, including all
factories, transport, and farming. The government decided what was produced, when
and by whom, and who would receive the goods.
Agriculture under War Communism was marked by food rationing, where people had to
survive on very little food each day. Lenin enforced grain requisitioning, forcing peasants
in the countryside to give up their grain for free. However, this policy led to Russian
agriculture collapsing, resulting in a famine that claimed the lives of 5 million people in
1921. Those who refused to give up their grain were punished harshly by the Cheka, with
thousands arrested and forced into labor camps.
The industry also suffered under War Communism. By 1921, the amount of goods
produced in factories had decreased significantly due to the lack of resources and
incentives. Money had become almost worthless, leading many people to resort to
illegal activities such as stealing food to survive.
The Kronstadt Uprising in March 1921 was a turning point in the War Communism era.
Sailors in a naval base outside Petrograd staged an uprising against the Bolsheviks,
protesting the economic policies that had severely impacted their lives. The Bolsheviks
responded by using the Red Army to attack the sailors, resulting in hundreds of
casualties.
, The suppression of the Kronstadt Uprising demonstrated that the Bolsheviks were losing
support from the Russian population. This event marked a significant shift in the
Bolsheviks' approach towards economic policy.
In response to these challenges, Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) in
1921. NEP allowed for limited private enterprise and market-based trade, which helped
to revive the economy. This policy shift revealed that the Bolsheviks were willing to
adapt their policies to hold onto power.
Some key terms related to this period include:
• Economic policy: a plan or set of ideas that affects a country's wealth and trade
• Famine: a long period where people in an area do not have enough food
• Labour camps: a place where prisoners are forced to work
• Rationing: to give people a small amount of something as there is very little
available
• Surplus: an amount of something that is more than you need
These policies showcased the Bolsheviks' willingness to adjust their approach to
maintain control over Russia during a tumultuous period marked by civil war and
economic hardship.
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