War communism

Definition

War communism was an economic and political system implemented by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War, from 1918 to 1921, characterized by the nationalization of industry and the forced requisition of agricultural produce. This approach aimed to support the Red Army and ensure food supply to urban areas, but it led to widespread hardship and resistance among the populace, setting the stage for later economic policies in the Soviet Union.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. War communism involved the nationalization of all major industries, including factories and railways, effectively placing them under state control.
2. The policy enforced grain requisitioning from peasants, often leading to resentment and uprisings such as the Tambov Rebellion in 1920-1921.
3. Despite its intentions, war communism resulted in economic dislocation, food shortages, and a significant decline in industrial output.
4. The harshness of war communism alienated many peasants and workers, contributing to widespread dissatisfaction with Bolshevik policies.
5. In response to the failures of war communism, Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921 to stabilize the economy and placate discontent among the populace.

Review Questions

• How did war communism impact the relationship between the Bolshevik government and the peasantry during the Civil War?
  • War communism significantly strained relations between the Bolshevik government and the peasantry. The policy's reliance on grain requisitioning created resentment among peasants, who were forced to surrender their produce without compensation. This led to widespread discontent and uprisings, as many peasants felt exploited and marginalized by a regime that promised to represent their interests. The alienation caused by these policies contributed to a backlash against Bolshevik rule, demonstrating a disconnect between revolutionary ideals and practical governance.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of war communism in achieving its goals during the Russian Civil War.
  • War communism had mixed results in achieving its goals during the Russian Civil War. On one hand, it successfully supplied resources to the Red Army and maintained some level of control over urban areas. However, it failed to sustain agricultural production and led to severe food shortages across Russia. The extreme measures taken under war communism ultimately fostered resistance and dissatisfaction among both peasants and workers, revealing its limitations as a long-term economic strategy for post-revolutionary Russia.
• Assess how war communism set the stage for future Soviet economic policies under Lenin and subsequent leaders.
  • War communism laid the groundwork for future Soviet economic policies by highlighting both the challenges and failures of a purely state-controlled economy. The hardships experienced during this period led Lenin to realize that a more flexible approach was necessary for economic recovery. Consequently, he introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921, which permitted limited market mechanisms and private enterprise. This shift reflected lessons learned from war communism's harsh measures and showcased a pragmatic response to restore stability while maintaining a socialist framework.

Related terms

Bolshevik Revolution: The 1917 uprising led by the Bolshevik Party, resulting in the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the establishment of a socialist government in Russia.

Red Army: The military force created by the Bolsheviks to defend their regime during the Russian Civil War, composed of workers and peasants who were mobilized for revolutionary purposes.

New Economic Policy (NEP): A policy introduced by Lenin in 1921, which allowed for some private enterprise and market mechanisms to revive the economy after the strict measures of war communism.