Measures of War Communism

Question 1

1. What was W.C created as?
2. What did some radicals believe W.C was?
   - Why?
3. What was it designed to ensure? (3)

Answer 1

1. A series of emergency measures to ensure communist victory in the C.W.
2. The first step towards a communist economy.
   - It embodied some aspects of communist ideology.
3. Good levels of industrial prod. of war goods.
   Efficient allocation of workers.
   Food production to feed everyone.

Question 2

1. Name the 3 main measures of War Communism.

Answer 2

1. Food Dictatorship.
   Labour Discipline.
   Abolition of the Market.

Question 3

1. What were the 2 measures of food dictatorship?
   - What were these meant to ensure?
2. Who was authorised to seize grain from peasants without payment?
3. Who received the largest rations?
   - Who received the smallest rations?

Answer 3

1. Grain Requisitioning, Rationing.
   Food was available to both soldiers and workers.
2. Cheka squads.
3. Workers and soldiers.
   Members of the bourgoisie.

Question 4

1. What was the working day extended to in 1918?
2. Who was work made compulsory for in 1919?
3. What happened to workers who were late/caught slacking?
4. What was Lenin’s argument here?

Answer 4

1. 11 hours.
2. All able-bodied people between 16 and 50 y/o.
3. Harsh punishments.
4. As they were freed from capitalism, people would find work more rewarding, so they wouldn’t need leisure time.

Question 5

1. What did the C.W. lead to?
2. What 4 measures were taken to avoid this?
   - Provide a brief explanation of each one.
3. What did Marx argue the free market had been made for?
4. What did Lenin and Bukharin argue state planning of the economy would allow the production of goods to be?
   - How did they see the abolition of the market? (2)

Answer 5

1. A breakdown in the existing market.
2. Abolition of money - Govt printed money, which caused hyperinflation: money became worthless.
   Abolition of trade - Private trade made illegal.
   Large-scale Nationalisation - industries with 10+ employees nationalised.
   Conscription: Workers assigned to either factories or army.
3. Exploiting proletariat for bourgeiose to make profit.
4. Planned for workers’ benefit.
   - Step away from capitalism, huge achievement.