Theme 2a Flashcards
progression of Lenin’s economic policies
state capitalism -> war communism -> NEP
problems at start of Lenin’s rule, with economy (3)
what does a communist economy mean? (Marx never specified)
economic issues, country was backward, unindustrialised
economy shattered in WW1
Lenin’s initial economic actions
“state capitalism”
nationalisation of industry
land reform - to stimulate agriculture and gain support
who was nationalised industry run by
Supreme soviet of the National economy or Versenkha (economic experts)
how and when did Lenin implement Land reform
1917 decree on land - large estates belonging to church or aristocrats broken up, peasants given land they worked to own (popular)
when was War communism the economic policy of USSR
June 1918 - 1921
when was state capitalism the economic policy of the USSR
March-June 1918
what was war communism and what did it ensure
emergency economic measures
ensured: high levels of war production, efficiency, food production for workers and soldiers and civilians
what were the 3 measures under War communism
1) Food dictatorship
2) Labour discipline
3) Abolition of market
what did Food dictatorship mean under war communism
grain requisitioning - Cheka squads seizing grain from peasants
rationing - supply commissariat rationed seized foods (workers + soldiers got most)
what did Labour discipline mean under war communism
1918 - Extension of working day to 11 hours
1919 - Work compulsory for all able between 16 - 50
Harsh punishments to those caught lacking
what did Abolition of the market mean under war communism (4)
conscription - workers assigned to factories or army
abolition of trade - private trade illegal
abolition of money - govt. printed money which led to hyperinflation and devaluation of the currency (Soviet rouble). So workers paid in rations
complete nationalisation
result of war communism (2)
economic collapse and failure to abolish market
success in supplying army, step away from capitalism by abolishing money
how did the USSR economically collapse under War communism (8)
-grain requisitioning lowered grain production as no incentives to work
-industrial production decreased as no incentives to work hard
-workers left cities for farms where there was food
-gross output of all industry decreased
-shortages of goods
-unemployment rose
-harvests decreased resulting in famine in 1920-21 (killed 6 mil)
-late 1920 workshops in cities closing due to lack of fuel
how many workers left cities for farms 1917-22 and what % of the industrial workforce was this
1.8 million decrease in industrial workforce 1917-22 - >50% decrease
how much did the gross output of all industry decrease by 1913-20
70%
what did govt. do in Petrograd to deal with fuel shortage
govt. destroyed wooden buildings in Petrograd to use as fuel
what happened with Black market under war communism
60% of food in cities during civil war came from black market
workers stole govt. resources to barter for food (e.g. metal workers stole metal and fuel to make lighters to trade)
why was there a political crisis under war communism. examples.
- mass starvation + economic crisis not a good look
- Tambov peasants rebellion
- Kronstadt sailors mutiny 1921
when was Tambov peasants rebellion
aug 1920-21
what did the Kronstadt sailors demand
free trade
multi party elections to the soviets
outcome of war communism (3)
military victory but economic ruin
ideological victory in abolition of market and money
political crisis and rebellion, so change needed despite this ideological victory and Lenin + Bukharin’s belief that war communism was foundation on which to build
why was the NEP necessary (3)
to retain power/ stop political defeat
revive economy - stimulate grain production + end famine
build socialism - without foreign aid (interconnected countries supporting each other vision)
when was NEP introduced
march 1921
