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Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes a primary goal of War Communism (1917-1921) in Soviet Russia?
Which of the following best describes a primary goal of War Communism (1917-1921) in Soviet Russia?
- Encouraging private land ownership among peasants.
- Combating food shortages and supplying resources to industrial workers and the Red Army. (correct)
- Promoting international trade and foreign investment to boost the economy.
- Establishing a free market for agricultural goods to incentivize production.
How did the New Economic Policy (NEP) differ from War Communism in Soviet Russia?
How did the New Economic Policy (NEP) differ from War Communism in Soviet Russia?
- The NEP focused solely on agricultural collectivization and War communism focused on industrial growth.
- The NEP maintained the complete nationalization of all industries, while War Communism allowed some private ownership.
- The NEP abolished the concept of a fixed food tax, while War Communism introduced it.
- The NEP permitted peasants to sell surplus produce on the open market after paying a fixed tax, while War Communism enforced the requisition of surplus food. (correct)
What was the primary reason for the introduction of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in Soviet Russia?
What was the primary reason for the introduction of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in Soviet Russia?
- To accelerate the transition to a fully communist society by eliminating private enterprise.
- To stabilize the economy and quell social unrest following the failures of War Communism. (correct)
- To empower the Workers' Committees in managing state-owned enterprises.
- To comply with demands from Western countries for economic liberalization.
What was the significance of allowing farmers to sell surplus produce on the open market under the NEP?
What was the significance of allowing farmers to sell surplus produce on the open market under the NEP?
How did the introduction of the NEP impact the social structure of rural Soviet Russia?
How did the introduction of the NEP impact the social structure of rural Soviet Russia?
What was the role of Workers' Committees in the management of factories under War Communism, and what were the consequences of this system?
What was the role of Workers' Committees in the management of factories under War Communism, and what were the consequences of this system?
In what way did the NEP represent a departure from the socialist principles that were initially pursued after the Russian Revolution?
In what way did the NEP represent a departure from the socialist principles that were initially pursued after the Russian Revolution?
What was the main restriction on the operation of industrial trusts under the NEP?
What was the main restriction on the operation of industrial trusts under the NEP?
What was the attitude of Leon Trotsky and his followers toward the NEP, and why?
What was the attitude of Leon Trotsky and his followers toward the NEP, and why?
How did Lenin justify the implementation of the NEP, considering its departure from strict socialist policies?
How did Lenin justify the implementation of the NEP, considering its departure from strict socialist policies?
Flashcards
War Communism
War Communism
A system to combat food shortages during the Russian Civil War, featuring nationalization and socialization.
Nationalisation (War Communism)
Nationalisation (War Communism)
Industries, banks, and the merchant fleet were taken over by the state.
Socialisation (War Communism)
Socialisation (War Communism)
The abolition of private ownership of land.
Food Dictatorship
Food Dictatorship
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New Economic Policy (N.E.P)
New Economic Policy (N.E.P)
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Agricultural Freedom (NEP)
Agricultural Freedom (NEP)
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Kulaks
Kulaks
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Denationalisation (NEP)
Denationalisation (NEP)
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Mixed Economy (NEP)
Mixed Economy (NEP)
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N.E.P Men
N.E.P Men
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Study Notes
Lenin's Economic Policies
- Lenin aimed to fulfill socialist promises
- This meant ending exploitation
- Giving workers ownership/control via nationalization
- Giving peasants ownership/control via socialization
War Communism (1917-1921)
- Devised to combat food shortages for factory workers and the Red Army
- Nationalization of industries, banks, and merchant fleet occurred
- Worker Committees were expected to manage factories
- Production dropped due to inexperienced committees and poor training
- Agriculture was socialized, abolishing private land ownership
- Land was confiscated from nobility/church and given to peasants
- A 'food dictatorship' was introduced to handle shortages
- Surplus food was handed to the State to feed workers/soldiers
- Many peasants refused to contribute food
- Food patrols and violence were used to collect food
- Farmers only produced enough for themselves in response
New Economic Policy (NEP)
- Lenin's pure socialist policies failed
- Famine and shortages caused agitation for change
- Peasant uprisings broke out
- To save the revolution, Lenin introduced the NEP
- The NEP involved a departure from socialism and a partial return to capitalism
Within the Agricultural Sector
- The food dictatorship was abolished
- Farmers were allowed to sell surplus produce on the open market
- A fixed food tax would be paid to the State
- The State retained ownership of the land
- Farmers were rewarded for hard work with initiative
- Area under cultivation increased promptly
- Farmers were allowed to lease land and hire laborers later
- Production increased as a result
- A wealthy peasant class, the "kulaks," emerged
- By 1926, peasants owned the land they cultivated
- Grain production equalled 1913 levels, indicating success in 1926
Within the Industrial Sector
- Factories with under 20 workers were denationalized/returned to owners
- Owners that had their factories returned forfeited their right to vote, and were heavily taxed
- Wealthy retailers/factory owners ("N.E.P Men") welcomed new opportunities
- Larger industries were organized into trusts to manage affairs without state control
- Trusts could make decisions based on profit motive
- Managers replaced Workers' Committees, deciding how to buy materials and sell products
- The State had first claim to products
- A profit motive was introduced with incentive bonuses based on production for workers
- Foreign capitalists could invest in the economy
- Foreign experts were employed to raise technical expertise
- The state still employed 80% of the workforce
- Productivity increased as a result
Consequences of the NEP
- Russia had a mixed economy (state control and free enterprise)
- The partial return to capitalism helped the economy
- Lenin felt this was necessary to save the revolution
- The Russian people enjoyed more prosperity as the economy returned to its pre-war levels of production
- Lenin’s NEP policies caused a split in the Communist Party
- Trotsky and followers favored pure socialism, criticizing the NEP
- Russia had a partial return to inequality before 1917
- Rich kulaks and N.E.P men had simply replaced the old privileged classes
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