Change and Continuity: Economic Policies

Question 1

Ideological compromises of State Capitalism

Answer 1

1) Allowed for ‘bourgeoise specialists’ to remain in the economy
2) State did not control every industry
3) Private trade was allowed

Question 2

Ideological compromises of War Communism (3)

Answer 2

1) War Communism was implemented too fast, foreshadowed by Lenin in his April Theses
2) Lenin had originally hoped for a gradual transition from capitalism to socialism
3) War Communism prioritised the army and let the people suffer

Question 3

Ideological compromises of the New Economic Policy (5)

Answer 3

1) Although major industries were kept under state control, small scale enterprises and peasants could trade privately
2) Peasants needed to only pay a tax in the form of food/materials, then could sell surplus goods
3) Lenin brought back the Russian rouble, thus abandoning the dream of abolishing a money-based economy
4) Marked a partial return to a capitalist economy to ensure the survival of the regime
5) Rise in NEPmen, angering the workers who had hoped for socio-economic equality for all citizens