Bolshevik Consolidation of Power
Assess the importance of War Communism to the Bolshevik consolidation of power.
War Communism (WC) was of substantial importance to the Bolshevik consolidation of power. WC played a major role in the Bolshevik victory in the Civil War and thus allowed them to maintain power and control in Russia. However, from the Bolsheviks initial seizure of power in 1917 through to 1924, a number of other factors were of importance in enabling the Bolsheviks to consolidate this power. These factors included the Early Decrees, implemented Lenin, their victory in the civil war and the New Economic Policy (NEP).
WC was introduced predominantly to focus industrial production on supplying the Red Army during the civil war. Historian Silvana Malle describes WC as being a pragmatic response to a dire and urgent situation. Elements of WC included grain requisitioning, nationalisation of industry and banks, strict regulations on workers and the Red Terror. Peasants were forced to hand over any surplus grain to the Cheka (Secret Police). In retaliation peasants began to hide or burn their crops and slaughter their livestock in order to thwart their exploitation. Consequently, by 1921, the level of grain production throughout the country had fallen to less than half of what was produced in 1913. However, grain requisitioning was at such high levels that even though the peasants resisted it, there were still sufficient amounts of grain to supply the Red Army and the workers making munitions in factories. Under WC industry and banks were nationalised and the government took control of them. Strict regulations were placed on workers and the working day was increased to 11 hours. Lateness and absenteeism were meant with harsh punishment, such as a loss of your job. This was to ensure that priority was given to rapid production of war supplies. As result of these elements of WC, the Red Army was adequately supplied with munitions and food at all times. This meant that they were able to
War Communism (WC) was of substantial importance to the Bolshevik consolidation of power. WC played a major role in the Bolshevik victory in the Civil War and thus allowed them to maintain power and control in Russia. However, from the Bolsheviks initial seizure of power in 1917 through to 1924, a number of other factors were of importance in enabling the Bolsheviks to consolidate this power. These factors included the Early Decrees, implemented Lenin, their victory in the civil war and the New Economic Policy (NEP).
WC was introduced predominantly to focus industrial production on supplying the Red Army during the civil war. Historian Silvana Malle describes WC as being a pragmatic response to a dire and urgent situation. Elements of WC included grain requisitioning, nationalisation of industry and banks, strict regulations on workers and the Red Terror. Peasants were forced to hand over any surplus grain to the Cheka (Secret Police). In retaliation peasants began to hide or burn their crops and slaughter their livestock in order to thwart their exploitation. Consequently, by 1921, the level of grain production throughout the country had fallen to less than half of what was produced in 1913. However, grain requisitioning was at such high levels that even though the peasants resisted it, there were still sufficient amounts of grain to supply the Red Army and the workers making munitions in factories. Under WC industry and banks were nationalised and the government took control of them. Strict regulations were placed on workers and the working day was increased to 11 hours. Lateness and absenteeism were meant with harsh punishment, such as a loss of your job. This was to ensure that priority was given to rapid production of war supplies. As result of these elements of WC, the Red Army was adequately supplied with munitions and food at all times. This meant that they were able to