Causes Flashcards
When Lenin took over, what was his economic aim?
A ‘planned economy’
What is a ‘planned economy’?
When the government controls, directs and organises all the industries (such as coal, electricity, steel production etc.)
Was a planned economy possible for Lenin and the Bolsheviks at the start of their rule?
Not really. They were inexperienced and only controlled parts of the country, so they had to make compromises.
What compromises did Lenin and the Bolsheviks have to make in the beginning, instead of implementing a full ‘planned economy’?
They had to allow workers to take control of factories. Many had already been taken over by workers. Some were loyal to Lenin but others were not.
Did Lenin and the Bolsheviks try to stop the workers’ take over of factories?
They had allowed it at first (with the Decree on Workers’ Control of December 1917) but Lenin tried to slow the process down with decrees in January and April, 2018.
What other problems did Lenin and the Bolsheviks face regarding factories?
Many factory owners simply shut them down rather than allowing them to be taken over.
How many factories were shut down by owners to prevent them being taken over?
By August 1918, around 30% of all factories were shut and the economy was grinding to a halt.
What 2 things did Lenin and the Bolsheviks do to keep the economy going after 30% of factories had been shut down?
- They nationalised the biggest industries, along with banks and railways, and gave them targets for what they should be achieving.
- Middle-class managers and technicians were allowed to stay on in their old jobs to make sure the newly-nationalised industries were run efficiently.
This was called STATE CAPITALISM
Did State Capitalism work?
It was an improvement, but the economy was still falling apart, so a new, tougher approach was needed - WAR COMMUNISM
What cause of War Communism was linked to the Civil War?
Civil War was coming - and the communists needed control of industry and the food supply to win: Workers had to continue producing goods and the Red Army needed food. War Communism would achieve these things.
What cause of War Communism was linked to ideology?
There was a strong desire in the new government to end capitalism. This would mean abolishing money, the free market and getting rid of social classes. War Communism would achieve these things. Indeed, War Communism was an attempt to make real communism work.
What cause of War Communism was linked to loss of agricultural areas?
Russia lost important grain-producing areas in the Ukraine because of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Other areas were controlled by White armies and less and less food was reaching the cities. War Communism would help the communists improve the supply.
What cause of War Communism was linked to population movement?
Population i the cities collapsed as people fled to the countryside where it was easier to get food - War Communism would help solve the problem and return people to the cities.
