Topic 4: War Communism

Question 1

Why was it needed?

Answer 1

To replace the failed policy of state capitalism, secure food for the cities, halt economic breakdowns and focus on supplying the red army.

Question 2

Features of War Communism

Answer 2

Nationalisation of most industries
Militarised workplaces
Forced labour for the bourgeoisie
Abolition of money
Black Market Trading
State supplied services

Question 3

How did Lenin address the food issue?

Answer 3

Grain requisitioning squads were established, as well as the Kombedy (Committees of the poor)

Question 4

Statistic on black market trading

Answer 4

During 1918-1919, illegal traders supplied 60% of the bread needed in cities

Question 5

Decree on Nationalising industry

Answer 5

28 June 1918
declared all major industries as “the property of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic”

Question 6

Decree on Food Procurement

Answer 6

13 May 1918
Announced that “the obstinacy of the greedy kulaks and wealthy peasants must be brought to an end”

Question 7

Richard Malone

Answer 7

the forced confiscation of manpower to either the Red Army or to industry and the forced confiscation of grain and food were at the heart of war communism.

Question 8

Statistic of grain harvests

Answer 8

Grain harvests in 1920 and 1921 were 50% of 1913 levels

Question 9

Statistic for population in the cities

Answer 9

In 1914 Petrograd’s population was 2.2 million, and by 1920 it dropped to 0.6 million

Question 10

Orlando Figes on the famine

Answer 10

The single biggest killer of these years