5. The Crisis of 1921 Flashcards
(6 cards)
What was the Tambov uprising?
In the autumn of 1920, peasants in Tambov, led by Antonov, began a rebellion against grain requisitioning and Cheka brutality. By January 1921, Antonov had a force of 50,000, with the revolt spreading throughout the spring of 1921. It was put down in May with poison gas attacks. 100,000 people were deported to labour camps.
What was the Kronstadt mutiny?
In early 1921, there were a wave of strikes across the main cities. In Petrograd, the Reds opened fire on unarmed workers in response. This brutality led to 10,000 sailors at the Kronstadt naval base rebelling. They issued a 12 point manifesto wanting the end to WC, restoration of free speech, legalisation of socialist and anarchist groups, abolition of the Cheka. After 2 weeks, the mutiny was crushed by 60,000 troops with 3,000 mutineers killed or injured.
Why did Lenin introduce the NEP?
Lenin’s ruthlessness showed that there would be no political compromise. But he was willing to embrace economic change and so as a result of the unrest he introduced the New Economic Policy in March 1921.
What did the NEP do?
. The NEP created a mixed economy with small factories denationalised and allowed to trade freely. The ‘commanding heights’ of the economy - large factories and major industries - remained nationalised.
. Grain requisitioning was replaced with a tax in kind and peasants could buy, sell and produce freely - ending the famine.
. Money was reintroduced.
What were the consequences of the NEP?
. Political and economic stability - by 1923, cereal production had increased by 23% compared with 1920. From 1920-1923, factory output rose by 200%. Large scale industry took longer to recover but was largely improved by 1924.
. However, the NEP was deeply unpopular within the Bolshevik party as it was a retreat into capitalism.
. A new class emerged - the Nepmen were businesspeople who took advantage of the opportunities for private trade and small-scale manufacturing due to the NEP. They made up about 3 million, with 325,000 working in handicrafts and 99,000 being self-employed in retail trade.
What did Lenin introduce within the Bolshevik party?
He coupled economic reform with much tighter political control. At the 10th Party Congress he introduced a ban on factions within the party, with expulsion being the punishment for breaking this ban. By early 1923, 230,000 members were purged. Decisions made by Lenin and the Politburo had to be supported by all party members.
