towards a command economy, 1917-28 Flashcards
What were some of the problems facing Russia during 1917?
- Economy was backwards and unsophisticated.
- Economy was still far behind the more developed nations.
What were some of Lenin’s early ideas about industry & agriculture?
- Believed Socialism was compatible with Russia in 1917.
- Russia could grow without capitalism through foreign aid.
- Argued that the revolution had destroyed capitalism but the economy was not strong enough for socialism.
What was Lenin’s vision for the new socialist economy?
- Workers would be free from capitalists and would be treated and paid better so they wouldn’t resent work.
- No time for leisure - workers would find their work fulfilling so leisure was unnecessary.
What was state capitalism?
Taking industry away from middle-class owners
Who ran the nationalised industries?
The Vesenkha
What was the Vesenkha?
A group of economic experts designed to ensure factories were managed well by well-paid specialists and co-ordinated economic production.
Why did some workers reject state capitalism?
They wanted workers control
What did Lenin introduce in 1917 to win support?
Land Reform
What happened during War Communism?
- Efficient allocation of resources.
- Food production to feed soldiers, workers and civilian population.
- High levels of industrial output of war goods.
What did Lenin’s food dictatorship consist of?
- Grain requisitioning.
- Rationing.
In 1918 what labour discipline policies were introduced?
- An 11 hour working day.
- All able people had compulsory work.
- Harsh punishments for slacking and lateness.
What measures were introduced to abolish the market?
- Abolition of money.
- Abolition of trade.
- Private trade made illegal.
- Complete nationalisation.
- Conscription.
What happened during Economic Collapse?
- Peasants not paid for their grain, no incentive to work.
- Grain req led to lower rates of agricultural production.
- Industrial production declined because of no incentive.
- Hunger led to workers leaving cities (workforce declined from 3 million in 1917 to 1.2 million in 1922).
What political crises happened due to Lenin’s policies?
- August 1920-June 1921 Tambov rising.
- March 1921 Kronstadt mutiny.
Why was the NEP introduced?
- Retain political power.
- Revive economy.
- Build socialism.
- Peace with peasants.
