Vladimir Lenin
war communism 1918-1921
- purpose:
- mobilize national economy
- food for soldiers
- socialism in Russia
Quote
” was to put Marxism into practice"
"each according his abilities, each according to his needs”
- In practice:
- mines, factories & railways were nationalized.
- those useful to society could vote
- compulsory labour
- private trade suppressed
- nationalization of land
- farmer received vouchers
- starvation, riots, strikes & incompetence
- Results
- peasant resistance
- famine
- threat of counter revolution: kronstadt rebellion 1921
Quote
”two steps forward, one step back”
New Economic Policy (NEP)
- purpose:
- revive economy
- prevent counter revolution
- In practice:
- peasants = food for profit
- small business allowed
- private trade allowed
- major industries remained nationalized
- CHEKA (secret police)
- Results:
- success with economic revival
Split Bolsheviks:
Right wing = Lenin NEP temporary
Left Wing = Trotsky NEP betrayal
- Kulaks = wealthy
- 80% still peasants
Other aspects of Lenin’s Russia
Treaty of Rapallo - Russia and Germany
1922:
- Bolsheviks = Communist Party
- Russia = USSR
End of Lenin’s Reign
Lenin’s goals:
- liberate Russia, world communism accomplished
- Isolated Russia, world divided in 2
Lenin’s successors: Stalin vs. Trotsky:
- Moderates/Right Wing = need NEP
- Left Wing = Communism
Trotsky = World Communism
Stalin = Socialism in One Country
Trotsky
Kamenev
Zinoviev
Note
Lenin dies in 1924