2.3 The Bolshevik Economy Flashcards
What were the policies of State Capitalism in 1918?
- Large industries were nationalised (controlled by the government)
- Small business were allowed to operate by capitalists and were not nationalised
This was forced to change by the onset of the Civil War.
What were the policies of War Communism 1918-1921?
- Grain Requisition was introduced. This was where grain was taken from the peasants and given to the state. This was highly unpopular and led to mass starvation and famine
- Rationing introduced
- Short term abolition of money
- Banned private trading
- Small businesses were forced to nationalise
- Workers were allocated to factories or armies
How successful was War Communism?
As an economic policy, War Communism failed disastrously.
However, War Communism was a successful tool in the Reds winning the Civil War.
How did War Communism help the Reds win the Civil War?
The Bolsheviks blamed the drop in economic strength on the Whites, which meant people were willing to help the Bolsheviks.
Who were the Kulaks?
Kulaks were wealthy peasants with relatively large farms and capable of hiring labour. They were hated by the Bolsheviks due to their links with the Bourgeoisie.
How were Kulaks affected by the Bolshevik economy?
The requisition of crops led to a lack of incentive to work.
They were targeted by the Red terror for staging revolts and hoarding grain.
Kulaks were badly affected by famines.
How were Peasants affected by the Bolshevik economy?
3-10 million were killed by famines and working conditions worsened.
Rebelling peasants were crushed by the Red terror.
How were the middle class affected by the Bolshevik economy?
Those who did not work were not allocated food which resulted in members of the Bourgeoisie begging for food.
Political Opponents were rounded up and shot by the Red Terror.
How were the soldiers affected by the Bolshevik economy.
Rations increased.
Disease outbreaks rose and living conditions worsened.
500,000 deserters were killed by the Red Terror.
What was the Red Terror 1918-22?
The Red Terror was a political repression campaign carried out by the Cheka (Bolshevik Secret Police).
The Red Terror aimed to eliminate any potential threats to the Bolshevik Regime.
What was the Tambov Revolt 1920-22?
A 70,000 man peasant army rose up against the government after requisition squads arrived demanding requisition when there was already little grain left to give.
In retaliation, 100,000 Red Army Troops were deployed to brutally quell the uprising.
This ultimately destroyed the whole of the Tambov province.
Poison gas was used to deal with any potential hiders.
What was the Kronstadt Rebellion 1921?
30,000 sailors in Kronstadt mutinied due to hunger and resource deprivation.
As a result, 15,000 were arrested and imprisoned by the Red Terror.
What were the policies of the New Economic Policy (NEP) 1921?
The requisition of grain ended and was replaced by Prodnalog, a tax which allowed farmers to keep 10% of grain produced.
Small businesses were denationalised.
Trade bans were lifted.
State control continued with the Red Terror remaining active throughout the rest of the Civil War.
Private Businesses were still overlooked by the government,
Who were the NEPmen?
The were men who exploited opportunities for private trade and small scale manufacturing, numbering around 3 million. They directed contradicted with Bolshevik ideals.
What was the Nomenklatura System introduced in 1923?
A list of candidates for senior positions within the State.
This promoted loyalty in return for higher posts and access to resources.
