What Effect Did Lenin Have On The People Of Russia
In 1917 the Bolsheviks took power and Russia’s economy was going to collapse mainly due to involvement in the Civil War and World War One. Lenin implemented War Communism in order that the nationalisation of the whole country could take place. The broad aims of Lenin’s communism were to redistribute wealth among the Russian people and to support the Red Army with artillery and weapons. Lenin did not achieve his goals to establish communism in Russia. The agricultural and industrial sectors in Russian collapsed due to the unorganised nationalisation that took place. Communism also had bad social effects on the people of Russia. Although the Russian economy was going through a crisis, Lenin was still able to support and help the Red army to win
the Civil War.
The agricultural sector was negatively affected by War Communism because Lenin failed in achieving his aims to nationalise all land and implement collectivisation. Lenin introduced a food dictatorship in 1928, which meant all land was state owned. Farmers had to hand over all grain surpluses to the government, with no incentive, in order to feed the Red army. The farmers believed that through communism they could advance their lives, they were meant to receive goods from the factories but the factories refused. As a result, food patrols had to force the farmers to hand over grain surpluses. Some farmers decided that they would only produce enough produce for themselves others resented to hiding their extra produce. The agricultural production levels dropped significantly this also added to the growing unpopularity of the Communist Party. Russian agriculture was at an all-time low.
Secondly, War Communism also aided in the collapsing of the industrial sector and the economy. Lenin introduced centralized state control meaning all industries and banks were nationalized. A Supreme Council of National Economy was set up to control the industry, they banned private trading and profit-making was made illegal. Factories were provided with raw materials and fuel but they could not handle the duties that were given to them, thus industrial production levels dropped significantly. As a result, inflation rates rose and money was soon abolished so barter trade had to be implemented. Workers lost their freedom, so they could be sent to work everywhere and they were working for excessive hours. They were paid with poor accommodation, clothing and small food rations.
the Civil War.
The agricultural sector was negatively affected by War Communism because Lenin failed in achieving his aims to nationalise all land and implement collectivisation. Lenin introduced a food dictatorship in 1928, which meant all land was state owned. Farmers had to hand over all grain surpluses to the government, with no incentive, in order to feed the Red army. The farmers believed that through communism they could advance their lives, they were meant to receive goods from the factories but the factories refused. As a result, food patrols had to force the farmers to hand over grain surpluses. Some farmers decided that they would only produce enough produce for themselves others resented to hiding their extra produce. The agricultural production levels dropped significantly this also added to the growing unpopularity of the Communist Party. Russian agriculture was at an all-time low.
Secondly, War Communism also aided in the collapsing of the industrial sector and the economy. Lenin introduced centralized state control meaning all industries and banks were nationalized. A Supreme Council of National Economy was set up to control the industry, they banned private trading and profit-making was made illegal. Factories were provided with raw materials and fuel but they could not handle the duties that were given to them, thus industrial production levels dropped significantly. As a result, inflation rates rose and money was soon abolished so barter trade had to be implemented. Workers lost their freedom, so they could be sent to work everywhere and they were working for excessive hours. They were paid with poor accommodation, clothing and small food rations.