Problems+and+Solutions+to+War+Communism


 * __Problems and Solutions to War Communism__**
 * War Communism**: The economic policy of the Soviet government during the civil war.

Originally created by the Soviet government, War Communism was an attempt at mobilizing the strength of the people and the resources that the state had to offer. Industry was nationalized by combining private industries such as mining, metallurgical, electrical, timber, pottery, arts, mills and railways to create just a few major industries. This caused small businesses to disappear and private industry was soon nearly extinct. Compulsory labour was also introduced and private trade was soon restricted. This was replaced with rationing from the government on items such as food and other necessities under high demand. This meant that under war communism, all privately owned land landed under the ownership of the state. Ultimately, this plan was a complete failure as peasants were required to turn over their entire crops, with the exception of small portions for their own survival, to the state in order to provide rations to the urban population but especially the Red Army. Although foreign countries attempted to intervene, it wasn’t until Lenin came into power that a successful solution was introduced. In 1921 Lenin’s New Economic Policy was launched and although it didn’t completely abolish War Communism, it did manage to succeed in relaxing its harsh principles. The main aspects of the new plan included some private trade being permitted, peasants being allowed to sell surplus and worker’s in factories with under 25 employees were permitted to return to private ownership. As a summary, the NEP was a compromise that sacrificed ideals of Marxism for the success of production. Source: Student Workbook Peasant Unrest due to War Communism