How accurate is it to say that the principal reasons for the survival of the Communist rule
in the Soviet Union in the years 1917-28 was the introduction of the NEP?
Throughout the years 1917-28, the economy fluctuates from near collapse to periods of stability,
helped by the economic policies trying to resolve external circumstances such as the civil war
and ideological demands. Through the use of economic policies, including war communism,
state capitalism, the NEP, and collectivisation both Lenin and Stalin attempt to promote
economic development. Although there were some successes such as transforming Russia from a
backwards agricultural economy with 80% of population peasants to a nuclear superpower.
However, although some argue the introduction of the NEP to be the key reason for survival,
from a political standpoint the creation of a one-party state and political centralisation
additionally play a part. Therefore, it is highly debatable to what extent the NEP was the
principal reason for survival of the Soviet Union.
Despite Russia’s attempts to industrialize between 1890 and 1914, the economy was
unsophisticated and backwards. So, when the economy was hindered by WW1, Lenin inherits an
economy at near collapse and about to face further damage from the civil war. Lenin’s vision
was that a socialist economy would be highly efficient requiring modern technology, and highly
disciplined workers, where workers would be freed from the claws of capitalism. This was done
through ‘state capitalism’. In the main it was based on the nationalisation of industry, taking
industry away from the middle-class. For example, the degree of the workers Control of
November 1917 placed factories into the control of the workers, nationalisation of banks, and
Land Degree of October 1917 abolished private land owning of estates of the Church and
aristocrats, returning it to peasants. Significantly, through land reform Lenin established great
popularity, giving power to the workers, successfully aligning with Russia’s new ideology.
However, in terms of promoting successful economic development it had failed, worker’s
councils voted to give themselves huge pay rises resulting in inflation and those with industrial
expertise were dismissed by workers seeking revenge causing inefficiency, decreased output and
therefore reduced profit. Moreover, this early period highlighted stresses and lack of success of
these policies in trying to promote economic growth. Therefore, it stands to reason that the NEP
was the most significant.
Faced with the desperate circumstances of the civil war, war communism was promoted as a
series of emergency economic measures used to ensure victory, which still embodied communist
ideologies. These policies included forcible requisitioning of food, for instance around 15,000
Bolsheviks seized grain, largest rations went to soldiers with smallest or none given to the
bourgeoisie. Significantly this meant malnutrition and starvation became commonplace,
highlighting the clear failure of War Communism as agricultural production decreased.
Additionally, other factors employed by war communism were: harsh military style disciple,
hierarchical structures in industry, bartering and ban on private trading. War communism had
