Employment and Work

What was Marx’s central critique of capitalism?

Rewarded property owners rather than workers

What did Lenin publish in 1918 about work?

Declaration of the Rights of Toiling and Exploited People; abolished private land ownership; introduced universal labour duty

What compromise did Lenin make under state capitalism?

Allowed bourgeois specialists

What economic problem did Russia face in early 1918?

Massive unemployment

How did Lenin end unemployment?

Compulsory labour from September 1918

How did rations work under War Communism?

Based on class with workers receiving highest rations

What benefits did workers get under War Communism?

Food rations; public transport; communal dining halls

What benefits did workers get under NEP?

Trade union negotiation; social insurance; better education access

What benefits did party members receive?

Special shops; better healthcare; privileged housing; special events

What were problems with compulsory labour?

Factory closures; reliance on black market; workforce fell 25%

How did unemployment change under NEP?

Rose from 5.5% to 18% 1921–24

Why did unemployment increase under NEP?

Demobilised soldiers; returning workers; redundancies; end of War Communism roles; childcare cuts

Which group received least benefits under NEP?

Peasants

Give three benefits of industrialisation for workers.

Full employment; higher wages than countryside; improved transport; electrification; healthcare improvements

Give three drawbacks of industrialisation for workers.

Harsh discipline; weak unions; unsafe conditions; internal passports

How did peasants’ benefits compare?

Less food and worse healthcare

How did employment change after WW2?

Workforce rose from 8m to 12.2m; canteens declined

Why did health remain poor?

Poor sanitation; bad food; lack of supplies; weak hygiene education