War Communism
History: AQA GCSE Russia, 1894-1945, topic 2.3.1
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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Test yourself on War Communism
What did the government want?
Which of the following about grain are correct?
Where were production targets set?