War communism

Definition

War communism was a political and economic system implemented in Soviet Russia from 1918 to 1921 during the Russian Civil War. It aimed to centralize control of the economy, eliminate private trade, and ensure the Red Army was adequately supplied by requisitioning agricultural products from peasants. This radical approach reflected the Bolsheviks' desperate need to maintain power and support their military efforts while struggling against internal and external opposition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. War communism included nationalization of industry and forced requisitioning of grain from peasants, leading to widespread discontent and resistance among the rural population.
2. It aimed to eliminate capitalist elements within the economy and replace them with centralized state control, emphasizing the needs of the military over civilian needs.
3. The policy resulted in significant declines in agricultural production, leading to food shortages and famine, particularly in urban areas.
4. War communism was characterized by extreme measures such as the suppression of private trade, which caused a black market to thrive despite government efforts.
5. The economic hardships under war communism ultimately led to its replacement by the New Economic Policy in 1921, which allowed for some degree of private ownership and market dynamics.

Review Questions

• How did war communism reflect the Bolsheviks' priorities during the Russian Civil War?
  • War communism was directly aligned with the Bolsheviks' priorities as it aimed to ensure military success while consolidating their revolutionary power. By nationalizing industries and requisitioning grain, they sought to supply the Red Army effectively against their opponents. This approach underscored their commitment to a socialist agenda while also addressing immediate wartime needs, even at the expense of economic stability and civilian welfare.
• Evaluate the impact of war communism on Russian society and its economy during its implementation.
  • War communism had profound effects on Russian society and economy. The requisitioning of grain alienated many peasants, leading to resistance and decreased agricultural production. The focus on military needs over civilian consumption caused urban food shortages, exacerbating suffering among workers. Ultimately, these severe social and economic consequences led to widespread discontent, making it clear that a different approach was necessary for recovery after the Civil War.
• Assess how war communism set the stage for subsequent policies in Soviet Russia, particularly the transition to the New Economic Policy.
  • War communism laid bare the challenges of a purely state-controlled economy during peacetime conditions. The widespread hardship it caused prompted leaders like Lenin to reconsider economic strategies, leading to the introduction of the New Economic Policy. This new approach allowed for limited private enterprise and market mechanisms, recognizing that without addressing economic realities and peasant grievances, the Bolshevik regime risked losing power. Thus, war communism served as both a radical attempt at immediate control and a catalyst for more pragmatic reforms.

Related terms

New Economic Policy (NEP): A policy introduced by Lenin in 1921 that partially reintroduced private enterprise and allowed for some market mechanisms to stabilize the economy after the hardships of war communism.

Bolsheviks: A faction of the Russian socialist movement led by Lenin, which seized power during the October Revolution of 1917 and implemented war communism as a means of consolidating their control.

Cheka: The Soviet secret police established during the Russian Civil War to suppress counter-revolutionary activities and maintain state security, playing a crucial role in enforcing war communism.