2.3.1

War Communism

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Communism in the Russian Civil War (1918-1921)

In order to ensure that the army had enough food supplies and Russia had a good industrial capacity, ‘war communism’ was introduced.

War communism

War communism

  • The new government wanted to end capitalism in Russia.
  • To do this, they had to end the free trade of goods and balance out social classes by evenly distributing money.
Grain

Grain

  • Fixed prices for grain were introduced in order to keep the price of grain and the cost of buying grain for the army low.
  • But, this meant that peasants did not want to sell their grain for low prices. They just kept the grain they produced.
  • The Cheka (secret police) was sent to requisition (forcibly take) grain from peasants.
  • The brutality of this war communism made the party unpopular.
Other changes

Other changes

  • Food rationing was brought in, and people with jobs that were important to the war effort were given the most food.
  • Money was abolished, and instead people were paid in material goods.
  • In July 1918, all large industries were nationalised. Production targets were set in Moscow.
  • Public transport was made free in the cities, and private trading was banned.
Jump to other topics
1

The End of Tsardom

1.1

Russia's Economy & Society

1.1.1Industrialisation1.1.2Living & Working Conditions
1.2

Nicholas II's Autocracy & the Court

1.2.1Growth of Revolutionary Opposition1.2.2The 1905 Revolution & the October Manifesto1.2.3Reforming Russia Before 1914 - Stolypin1.2.4The Duma & Political Stalemate
1.3

The First World War

1.3.1The Impact of Military Defeats1.3.2Social & Economic Effects of WW11.3.3Romanov Unpopularity1.3.4The Tsar's Abdication1.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - The End of Tsardom
2

Lenin's New Society

2.1

The Provisional Government

2.1.1The Failure of the Government2.1.2Social & Economic Problems2.1.3Lenin & Trotsky2.1.4The Growth of the Bolsheviks2.1.5The October / November Revolution2.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - The Provisional Government
2.2

The Impact of Lenin's Dictatorship

2.2.1The End of the First World War2.2.2The Cheka2.2.3Red Terror & Centralisation2.2.4The Civil War & The Red Army2.2.5Propaganda2.2.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Early Bolshevism & the Civil War
2.3

Social & Economic Developments

2.3.1War Communism2.3.2The Kronstadt Rising2.3.3The New Economic Policy (NEP)2.3.4The Achievements of Lenin & Trotsky2.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Social & Economic Developments
3

Stalin's USSR

3.1

Stalin the Dictator

3.1.1The Power Struggle to Succeed Lenin3.1.2The Communist Party & Government3.1.3The Terror & the Purges3.1.4The Secret Police3.1.5Cult of Personality3.1.6Propaganda & Censorship under Stalin3.1.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Stalin's Dictatorship
3.2

Stalin's Modernisation of the USSR

3.2.1Collectivisation3.2.2Five Year Plans3.2.3Social & Economic Consequences3.2.4Social & Economic Consequences 23.2.5The Extent of Modernisation
3.3

Impact of the Second World War

3.3.1Stalin's Wartime Leadership3.3.2Political, Economic & Social Consequences of War3.3.3Top Grade AO2/3 - Modernisation of the USSR

Practice questions on War Communism

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  1. 1
    What did the government want?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which of the following about grain are correct?True / false
  3. 3
    Where were production targets set?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Other changes under war communism:Fill in the list
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Top Grade AO2/3 - Early Bolshevism & the Civil War

The Kronstadt Rising