Foreign Interventions + Economic Policies Civil War

Question 1

What economic policy did the Bolsheviks implement during the Russian Civil War to sustain their war effort?

Answer 1

War Communism

War Communism aimed to consolidate control over the economy and suppress private trade.

Question 2

What was one of the main aims of War Communism?

Answer 2

Ensure the Red Army had supplies to fight the Civil War

Other aims included centralizing economic control and suppressing capitalist elements.

Question 3

What was grain requisitioning?

Answer 3

The state forcibly seized grain and foodstuffs from peasants

This policy led to peasant revolts, such as the Tambov Rebellion.

Question 4

What happened to industrial output in 1921 compared to pre-war levels?

Answer 4

It was just 20% of pre-war levels

This reflects the severe economic collapse during War Communism.

Question 5

What was one of the effects of the 1921 famine?

Answer 5

It killed 5 million people

The famine was a result of agricultural decline and peasants refusing to produce surplus grain.

Question 6

What was the New Economic Policy (NEP) aimed at?

Answer 6

Restoring economic stability after War Communism

The NEP also aimed to prevent further uprisings by improving living conditions.

Question 7

What key policy replaced grain requisitioning under the NEP?

Answer 7

Tax-in-kind

This allowed peasants to keep surplus produce instead of giving it to the state.

Question 8

Who were the Nepmen?

Answer 8

Private traders allowed to operate under the NEP

They emerged as a result of the legalisation of private trade.

Question 9

What was the ‘Scissors Crisis’?

Answer 9

A situation where industrial prices rose while agricultural prices fell

This created tensions between peasants and urban workers in 1923.

Question 10

What was the main reasons for foreign intervention in the Russian Civil War?

Answer 10

Ideological opposition to communism, Russian withdrawal from ww1, Protection of allied armaments in Russia.

Question 11

Which two countries sent troops to Archangel and Murmansk during the Russian Civil War?

Answer 11

Britain and France

Their involvement lasted from 1918 to 1919.

Question 12

What was the outcome of the Russo-Polish War?

Answer 12

Poland was repelled by the Red Army

The Treaty of Riga in 1921 granted Poland significant territorial gains.

Question 13

True or False: Foreign interventions had a significant impact on the outcome of the Russian Civil War.

Answer 13

False

Foreign powers lacked coordination and commitment, leading to ineffective support for the Whites.

Question 14

What was the significant change in currency policy under the NEP?

Answer 14

Stabilisation of currency and reintroduction of money

This helped bring inflation under control.

Question 15

What did the Bolsheviks portray themselves as during foreign interventions?

Answer 15

Defenders of Russian sovereignty

This portrayal helped them gain nationalist support.

Question 16

What was the main conclusion regarding War Communism?

Answer 16

It enabled the Bolsheviks to win the Civil War but caused economic ruin and resistance

This highlights the costs associated with their policies.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The NEP was seen by hardline Bolsheviks as a betrayal of _______.

Answer 17

socialism

This led to increased opposition within the Party.

Question 18

What economic policy did the Bolsheviks implement during the Russian Civil War?

Answer 18

War Communism

War Communism aimed to support the Red Army and maintain control over the economy.

Question 19

What were the aims of War Communism?

Answer 19

• Supply the Red Army with food and materials
• Centralise the economy under state control
• Eliminate private trade and capitalist elements

Question 20

What was the Food Supplies Dictatorship?

Answer 20

A policy enforcing grain seizures from peasants to feed urban workers and the Red Army

It led to violent resistance and uprisings.

Question 21

What was the Tambov Rebellion?

Answer 21

A revolt by 50,000 peasants against Bolshevik grain requisitioning (1920–1921)

It was a significant uprising during War Communism.

Question 22

What did the Decree on Nationalisation do?

Answer 22

Placed all major industries under state control, including coal, iron, oil, and textiles

This occurred on June 28, 1918.

Question 23

What was the impact of internal passports on workers?

Answer 23

Restricted movement and forced workers to remain in cities

Strikes were banned, and absenteeism was harshly punished.

Question 24

What was the effect of War Communism on industrial output by 1921?

Answer 24

Industrial output was only 20% of 1913 levels

Coal production fell dramatically during this period.

Question 25

What was the cause and consequence of the 1921 famine?

Answer 25

Peasants refused to produce surplus grain, leading to an estimated 5 million deaths ## Footnote The famine was particularly severe in the Volga region.

Question 26

What was the Kronstadt Rebellion?

Answer 26

A revolt by 15,000 sailors in March 1921 against Bolshevik policies ## Footnote They demanded 'Soviets without Communists' and were brutally suppressed.

Question 27

What was the New Economic Policy (NEP)?

Answer 27

A policy introduced to restore economic stability and allow limited private enterprise after War Communism ## Footnote It lasted from March 1921 to 1928.

Question 28

What did the NEP aim to achieve?

Answer 28

* Restore economic stability * Prevent further uprisings * Allow limited private enterprise

Question 29

What replaced grain requisitioning under the NEP?

Answer 29

A tax-in-kind, allowing peasants to keep surplus produce ## Footnote This encouraged increased agricultural production.

Question 30

What were Nepmen?

Answer 30

Private traders allowed to operate under the NEP ## Footnote By 1923, they controlled 75% of retail trade.

Question 31

What was the 'Scissors Crisis' of 1923?

Answer 31

A situation where industrial prices rose while agricultural prices fell ## Footnote This created economic disparities between peasants and urban workers.

Question 32

What were the main reasons for foreign interventions in the Russian Civil War?

Answer 32

* Opposition to Bolshevism * Anger over the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk * Desire to protect supplies

Question 33

What was the impact of British and French involvement in the Civil War?

Answer 33

Sent troops to Archangel and Murmansk but withdrew by 1920 due to lack of public support ## Footnote They provided weapons and financial aid to the Whites.

Question 34

What was the role of the American troops in Siberia?

Answer 34

Sent 5,000 troops to protect supply lines and prevent Japanese expansion ## Footnote They withdrew in 1920 without significant impact.

Question 35

What was the outcome of the Polish-Soviet War?

Answer 35

Poland sought to expand eastward but was repelled ## Footnote The Treaty of Riga granted Poland parts of Ukraine and Belarus.

Question 36

True or False: Foreign interventions significantly impacted the outcome of the Russian Civil War.

Answer 36

False ## Footnote They were disorganised and lacked commitment, failing to prevent Bolshevik victory.

Question 37

What were the long-term effects of the NEP?

Answer 37

* Economic recovery * Rise of Nepmen * Ideological divisions within the Bolsheviks

Question 38

What was the conclusion regarding War Communism and the NEP?

Answer 38

* War Communism helped the Bolsheviks win the Civil War but caused economic collapse * The NEP stabilised the economy but created ideological divisions * Foreign interventions failed and reinforced Bolshevik control

Question 39

What was requisitioned from the peasants?

Answer 39

Surplus grain ## Footnote The surplus grain was redistributed to feed the urban workers (proletariat).

Question 40

What significant decree was issued in February 1918?

Answer 40

Socialisation of Land decree ## Footnote This decree aimed at redistributing land ownership.

Question 41

What was established in May 1918 to manage food supplies?

Answer 41

Food Supplies Dictatorship ## Footnote This organization was created to control food distribution.

Question 42

What type of farming was encouraged to increase efficiency?

Answer 42

Collective/cooperative farming ## Footnote This approach aimed to concentrate resources but faced low compliance rates.

Question 43

What did requisitioning detachments offer instead of money?

Answer 43

Vouchers ## Footnote This led to peasants barely having enough food to survive.

Question 44

Who were the kulaks?

Answer 44

Wealthy farmers ## Footnote They were labelled 'enemies of the people' and had their stocks seized.

Question 45

How did the poor and moderately poor peasants fare under the requisition measures?

Answer 45

They received better treatment but suffered misery ## Footnote The harsh requisition measures forced them to hide their supplies.

Question 46

What incentive was given to informers of hidden grain?

Answer 46

Half of the discovered grain ## Footnote This encouraged people to inform on others.

Question 47

What actions did peasants take in response to requisitioning?

Answer 47

Resorted to subsistence farming, growing less and murdered requisition squad members ## Footnote This resistance led to extensive use of Cheka to enforce the policy.

Question 48

What happened in Nov 1920?

Answer 48

Trade deal between Britain and Russia, de facto recognition of the Soviet State