How Far was the New Economic Policy a Success? (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE History)
Revision Note
Why did the Bolsheviks Introduce the NEP? - Summary
The NEP was a radical change from War Communism. The Bolsheviks introduced War Communism in June 1918 as a result of the Russian Civil War. War Communism was a communist approach to the economy. In Marx's vision of communism, there would be no private businesses. As a result, the Bolshevik government took control of all areas of production.
War Communism ended up having damaging impacts on the Russian economy. It was clear to Lenin that the government could not continue its policy of War Communism. This is despite the desire of many Bolsheviks (like Bukharin) to do so. Lenin had to introduce capitalist elements to the Bolshevik economy. This caused many benefits and costs to Lenin and the Russian economy.
Effect of War Communism in Towns
The Bolsheviks needed the support of Russian towns in the civil war
There was still a shortage of industrial goods caused by the First World War and strikes
The Bolsheviks wanted to control the armament industry to ensure that the Red Army got the best supplies
The Decree on Workers allowed many workers to pay themselves high wages for doing little to no work
Industrial Terms of War Communism
Term | Impact on workers |
|---|---|
The nationalisation of industry under the Vesenkha | Workers had production targets and lost control over factories |
An increase in factory discipline | Workers lost the right to strike and could work longer than eight hours |
The re-introduction of food rationing | Workers received the second largest ration |
The banning of all private trade | Many workers still traded in illegal black markets |
Effect of War Communism in the Countryside
The Bolsheviks needed the support of the Russian peasants
The Bolsheviks would conscript many peasants into the Red Army
The Red Army needed a guaranteed food supply to keep their soldiers strong
Some peasants fought against the Bolsheviks. The harsh terms of War Communism would increase Bolshevik control across Russia
Agricultural Terms of War Communism
Term | Impact on peasants |
|---|---|
Grain requisitioning | This policy, combined with poor weather, caused the Great Famine of 1921-1922. Historians estimate that between five to eight million Russians died. The Bolshevik government did nothing to stop this famine |
The re-introduction of food rationing | Peasants had very little food for themselves before the civil war. This contributed to the Great Famine |
The banning of all private trade | Under the Tsarist governments, kulaks were encouraged to trade. The Bolshevik government politically attacked kulaks, beginning a process called dekulakization |
Kronstadt Uprising 1921
By 1921, all areas of Russian society felt the impacts of War Communism
Industrial output had dropped below 1913 levels
Millions had died due to famine
Russia had suffered seven years of continuous fighting
The Kronstadt Uprising forced Lenin to abandon War Communism
Examiner Tip
Students often confuse this mutiny and the Kronstadt Rebellion in July 1917. It was the same group of sailors but the reasons for the mutiny were very different. An easy way to remember the two is that the mutiny in July 1917 was pro-Bolshevik. The mutiny in 1921 was anti-Bolshevik.
Features of the New Economic Policy (NEP)
After the Red Army had defeated most enemies of the Bolsheviks, Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP)
This was radically different to War Communism
Feature of the NEP | Explanation |
|---|---|
The end of grain requisitioning | Grain requisitioning was replaced by a ‘tax in kind’. Peasants gave 50% of their grain to the state. This amount was much less than the amounts taken by requisitioning. They could sell any surplus on the open market. This created NEPmen |
Changes to state control of industry | The state kept control of large-scale heavy industry. It also retained control of transport and the banking system. Lenin organised industries into trusts. Each trust had to buy materials and pay their workers from their own budgets. If they overspent, the state would not step in |
Small businesses reopened | Lenin realised that peasants would not sell their products unless there were goods they wanted on sale. Small, privately owned businesses could reopen and make a profit if they made goods such as shoes, nails and clothes |
End of rationing | Due to the end of the civil war, there was no need for rationing. People had to buy food and goods from their own income. This allowed food and goods to flow more easily between the countryside and the towns |
Examiner Tip
Students can sometimes mix up Lenin's two economic policies. Remember that:
War Communism occurred during the Russian Civil War. It was an attempt to introduce a communist economy
The NEP was implemented after the civil war. It was a new approach to economics. It tried to create a capitalist economy in a communist society
Worked Example
What were the main features of the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
4 marks
Answer:
It reintroduced aspects of capitalism into Russia's economy (1). It allowed private ownership of small factories and businesses (1). Peasants were allowed to sell their surplus grain for profit (1). The state still controlled heavy industries (1).
Examiner Tip
This style of question does not require you to explain your answer. The Cambridge IGCSE gives you a point for each relevant piece of information that you write. Therefore, do not spend any additional time trying to describe or explain each reason.
Was the NEP a Success?
Worked Example
Why was the New Economic Policy (NEP) important?
6 marks
Partial answer:
The NEP was important because it helped the Bolsheviks solve the problems caused by War Communism (1). This had helped the communists win the war but it had harmful effects on the people. The Great Famine of 1921-1922 was partially a result of War Communism (1). This made the NEP important because it allowed the countryside to recover. Peasants sold some of their grain for profit leading them to have more money and a better quality of life (1).
Examiner Tip
In Paper One, ‘explain why’ questions are worth either six or ten marks. For full marks in this question, an examiner is looking for two fully explained reasons as to why the NEP was important. Use the PEE structure in your answer:
P - Make a point about the question
E - Use evidence that supports the point that you have made
E - Explain why this evidence made the NEP important. Avoid repeating the point again. Explain how this factor had a significant impact on the Russian people
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