2.3.1
War Communism
Communism in the Russian Civil War (1918-1921)
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.
1The End of Tsardom
1.1Russia's Economy & Society
1.2Nicholas II's Autocracy & the Court
2Lenin's New Society
2.1The Provisional Government
2.2The Impact of Lenin's Dictatorship
3Stalin's USSR
3.1Stalin the Dictator
3.2Stalin's Modernisation of the USSR
Jump to other topics
1The End of Tsardom
1.1Russia's Economy & Society
1.2Nicholas II's Autocracy & the Court
2Lenin's New Society
2.1The Provisional Government
2.2The Impact of Lenin's Dictatorship
3Stalin's USSR
3.1Stalin the Dictator
3.2Stalin's Modernisation of the USSR
Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered