War Communism Flashcards
What was war communism?
The political and economic system adopted by the Bolsheviks during the civil war in order to keep towns and the Red Army provided with food and weapons
Who initially opposed Lenin in war communism?
Trotsky
What was the policy geared towards?
Making the best use of Russia’s production capacity as it disregarded the workers interests that were constantly changing
How did the policy reflect socialism?
Put the good of all before individual needs and interests
What was the Veshenka’s role?
Geared the control towards heavy industries such as coal and oil as these were materials that would help other industries
Two key features of war communism?
Requisitioning
Nationalisation
What was requisitioning?
Where units of the Red Army were sent out to find food for the hard pressed cities- often through a food dictatorship
Why was War Communism introduced?
Consolidate ruling
Restore industries after workers decree
Issue of inflation
Lack of raw materials
How were the peasant paid for their grain?
Officially peasants were paid a fixed price but local police began to offer inadequate vouchers which were to be exchanged at later dates
Who was worst affected by the policy?
Kulaks- enemy of the people- as sometimes their whole production was taken
Poorer peasants were generally treated better as they were considered an ally
How did the peasants react to war communism?
They hid grain, produced less and were known to murder members of the requisitioning teams
What was nationalisation?
All businesses were to be brought under state control directed by the Veshenka
Why did some peasants agree with nationalisation?
They believed their businesses were more likely to stay open so they had more sustainable employment
What were worker committees replaced by?
Single managers “The specialists” who imposed discipline and increased output
First and second industry to nationalise?
1st- sugar
2nd- oil
What was banned?
Private trade
What were the effects of war communism?
Production declines- management issues and transport disruptions
By 1921 production was 20% of what it was pre war years
By end of 1920 population in M+P fallen dramatically
Grain production low
Cattle were being slaughtered by thousand by hungry peasants- cannibalism
Why was the Red terror implemented?
Lenin had just been wounded in 1918 by a failed assassination attempt
What was Red Army aim?
Fight political opposition e.g. SR and Mensheviks who were often shot
What was the death toll at hands of army between 1918-20?
1/2 a million
What did the Cheka also try tackle?
Class warfare by preventing a bourgeoisie counter attack by arresting, imprisoning and executing suspects- victims from all classes including children- terror = compliance to regime
When was Tambov revolt?
1920-21
What was the cause of Tambov?
Requisitioning of food
Where was Tambov revolt?
300 miles from Moscow
What was the Tambov revolt?
70,000 men led by Alexander Antanov rose against government forces when they came to collect grain and there was none
How many RA soldiers did it take to crush Tambov revolt?
100,000 and villages were destroyed and poison gas was used
When was Kronstadt revolt?
1921
What did Lenin describe the Kronstadt revolt as?
“the flash which lit up reality”
What was the cause of Kronstadt?
Food crisis e.g. bread ration had just be cut by 1/3 as well as worker strikes due to lack of unity
What was Kronstadt?
50,000 sailors rebelled and sent Lenin a manifesto demanding to end one party communist ruele
Why was the Kronstadt rebellion shocking?
Sailors had been Lenin’s most loyal supporters during revolution
What was the outcome of Kronstadt?
Ring leaders were shot, 15,000 taken prisoner and sent to camps as they were regarded “white traitors”
How did Kronstadt affect Bolshevik party?
Set up under Kollanti- Caused divisions and Workers opposition was set up to argue workers greater control and removal of managers- opposed those (Trotsky) who wanted to intensify WC
