War communism Flashcards
When was War communism introduced?
1918
Why was war communism made and what did it do?
It put the Russian economy under government control.
Lenin believed it was necessary if the Bolsheviks were to win the civil war
What did war communism mean to the military
War communism meant that everything in the economy was geared to meeting the needs of the military first.
What did War communism do to the peasants?
Peasants were not allowed to sell their crops
The Cheka requisitioned the crops for a fixed low price and left a small amount of crop for the peasants
What did war communism do to industries?
They became nationalised and given production targets by the government.
What happened to the workers?
Peoples rights and freedom were restricted:strikes were banned and any suspected political opposition was dealt with by the cheka
What happened as a result of the cheka taking crop from the peasants?
Peasants tried to hide their grain
Peasants suspected of this were shot
How were people paid?
As money was abolished people were paid in goods and services
Why did the Bolsheviks have a large working force
Labour was conscripted
What were some reasons for war communism?
Pt1
The bolsheviks needed control over industry to supply the red army with weapons and resources
- The treaty of brest litovsk meant the loss of 40% of Russias industry
- After the October revolution,Banks stopped lending money to the government
What were some reasons for war communism?
Pt2
The bolsheviks needed control over industry to supply the red army with weapons and resources
- Workers started to leave the cities-either to go to the village or Red Army
- Transport problems meant industries did not get raw materials they needed
What were some reasons for war communism?
The bolsehviks needed control over food supply in order to feed workers and soldiers
- The whites controlled the key agricultural land
- The treaty of brest litovsk meant the loss of major food production regions
What happened in 1920
In relation to effects of war communism
Food production had fallen to 37% of 1913 levels
What were some consqeuences of war communism?
- People working in factories fell by half
- Food shortages turned into famine
- People died of starvation
