Power-point 11: Chapter 14: Critical year, 1921 Power-point 11: : Area of Study 2 – Creating a new society Chapter 14: Critical year, 1921

Introduction With the civil war won, the biggest dangers to the Soviet Republic was the far-reaching consequences of the civil war that included: 1. Economic crisis from the collapse of War Communism 2. Social crisis of the Kronstadt Uprising 3. Ideological crisis with a forced adoption of capitalist theory in the NEP

1. Economic crisis: War Communism To help Russia fight the war, policies called “War Communism” conscripted men to fight or work in factories. It also forced confiscation of food and grain to feed the Army, called requisitioning. To help Russia fight the war, policies called “War Communism” conscripted men to fight or work in factories. It also forced confiscation of food and grain to feed the Army, called requisitioning. Other aspects included Soviet farms built on large estates, nationalising of industry, rationing of food, grain tax and forced volunteer work Other aspects included Soviet farms built on large estates, nationalising of industry, rationing of food, grain tax and forced volunteer work

Impact of War Communism 10 million deaths of which only 5% died from battle 10 million deaths of which only 5% died from battle Requisitioning of food adds to impact of drought and frosts Requisitioning of food adds to impact of drought and frosts Industrial workers cut in half by war Industrial workers cut in half by war Industrial output drops to 15% Industrial output drops to 15% Agricultural output drops to 60% Agricultural output drops to 60% Bribes and cannibalism emerges Bribes and cannibalism emerges Electrical and coal production had never recovered from 1 st World War!! Electrical and coal production had never recovered from 1 st World War!!

Who was to blame? Unfortunately it was a combination of bad policy and bad luck Unfortunately it was a combination of bad policy and bad luck Despite being enemies in the civil war, Britain and America established an appeal to save over 14 million peasants with food and grain. Despite being enemies in the civil war, Britain and America established an appeal to save over 14 million peasants with food and grain. Communists blamed the Kulaks for hoarding grain and food. The Cheka were sent to coerce the Kulaks to give up grain. Terror and suspicion resulted in peasants growing only enough grain to feed their families Communists blamed the Kulaks for hoarding grain and food. The Cheka were sent to coerce the Kulaks to give up grain. Terror and suspicion resulted in peasants growing only enough grain to feed their families

2. Social crisis: Kronstadt Uprising 26 Feb – 17 Mar 1921 saw 16,000 sailors threatened a third rev against the soviet govt. that curbed their civil rights 26 Feb – 17 Mar 1921 saw 16,000 sailors threatened a third rev against the soviet govt. that curbed their civil rights Alongside angry, starving peasants and striking workers, they represented a unified national discontent and willingness to use force against the ruling elite Alongside angry, starving peasants and striking workers, they represented a unified national discontent and willingness to use force against the ruling elite Lenin’s response: 60,000 Red Army soldiers attacked & defeated Kronstadt Naval base near Petrograd Lenin’s response: 60,000 Red Army soldiers attacked & defeated Kronstadt Naval base near Petrograd

Red Army cross the frozen harbour to attack Kronstadt Island

Analysis of Kronstadt Uprising Trotsky justified civil rights rebellion as counter-revolution Trotsky justified civil rights rebellion as counter-revolution Serge justified crushing of rebellion as necessary to stop descend into chaos Serge justified crushing of rebellion as necessary to stop descend into chaos Ideological crisis: Rebellion came from the Proletariat fighting against communist rule Ideological crisis: Rebellion came from the Proletariat fighting against communist rule Bolshevik crisis: Leaders like Kollontai criticised gulf between party leaders and the proletariat Bolshevik crisis: Leaders like Kollontai criticised gulf between party leaders and the proletariat

3. Ideological Crisis: New Economic Policy (NEP) Lenin announced the NEP at the 10 th Soviet Congress as a radical response to the economic & social crisis that was limiting the development of the revolution Lenin announced the NEP at the 10 th Soviet Congress as a radical response to the economic & social crisis that was limiting the development of the revolution NEP allowed private property & capitalism NEP allowed private property & capitalism Lenin saw the NEP as a massive defeat for communism as Russia had to rely on capitalism to kick start the economy and stop uprisings Lenin saw the NEP as a massive defeat for communism as Russia had to rely on capitalism to kick start the economy and stop uprisings

Analysis of the NEP Lenin had no economic blue print for the revolution, and having to denounce War Communism for the NEP went against his ideological beliefs – sucker! Lenin had no economic blue print for the revolution, and having to denounce War Communism for the NEP went against his ideological beliefs – sucker! Pragmatist saw the NEP as a policy alteration that was needed Pragmatist saw the NEP as a policy alteration that was needed Communist idealists saw the NEP as treason, undermining the foundations of the Communist Party Communist idealists saw the NEP as treason, undermining the foundations of the Communist Party

Activities – MUST DO Analysis Activities 1-4 Pages Analysis Activities 1-4 Pages Analysing Historians perspectives Analysing Historians perspectives Choose an essay question to do a plan for. Choose an essay question to do a plan for. Extension work: Extension work: - Actually write the essay you did the plan for. Then give to Mr Jamieson to mark.