Answer:
War communism refers to the set of economic and political policies implemented by the Bolshevik government during the Russian Civil War (1918-1921). This period was marked by extreme social upheaval, economic dislocation, and military conflict following the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Key features of war communism included:
1. **Centralization of Economic Control:** The Bolsheviks sought to centralize control over the economy under state authority. They nationalized industry, banks, and major enterprises, placing them under the management of the state.
2. **Command Economy:** Under war communism, the economy operated as a command economy, where centralized authorities determined production quotas, resource allocation, and distribution of goods and services.
3. **Requisitioning and Food Distribution:** The Bolshevik government implemented policies of requisitioning grain and other agricultural products from peasants to feed the Red Army and urban populations. Peasants were often forced to surrender their surplus produce to the state, leading to widespread resentment and resistance.
4. **Abolition of Private Trade:** Private trade and commerce were heavily restricted or abolished altogether. The state monopolized trade and distribution channels, aiming to ensure equitable access to resources and prevent speculation and profiteering.
5. **Labor Mobilization:** Workers' movements and labor unions were tightly controlled by the state. Labor mobilization efforts were directed towards supporting the war effort and industrial production deemed crucial for the survival of the new regime.
War communism was characterized by its authoritarian and coercive nature, with the state wielding extensive powers to enforce its economic policies. While it played a significant role in consolidating Bolshevik power during the civil war, war communism also led to widespread economic chaos, social unrest, and suffering among the population. Eventually, the failures of war communism paved the way for the New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced by Lenin in 1921, which aimed to reintroduce elements of market economy and private enterprise to stabilize the Soviet economy.
