Why Lenin had to make a radical change of policy in 1921

What were the problems in the economy? What was the industrial output like? What was grain harvest like? GIVE STATS

• Total industrial output fell to around 20% of its pre-war level

• The grain harvest in 1921 was only 48% of the 1913 figure which caused famine in the south

• The transport system was on the point of total collapse meaning factories could not get the materials needed

How did the peasants threaten the government? Give an example

The peasants started revolting against grain requisitioning which the Bolsheviks had deliberately set at unreasonably high levels.

E.g. The Tambov Rising(1920-21) where for almost a year the Red Army was unable to deal with a peasant army led by Alexander Antonov. It took 50,000 Bolshevik troops to put down the revolt

Why did the workers oppose the government? (3 main reasons)

• Food shortages→On 22 January 1921 the bread ration was cut by 1/3 in several cities and food demonstrations had to be broken up by the Cheka

• The militarised factories where workers could be imprisoned or shot if production targets were not reached

• The way the state had hijacked their unions

What was the Kronstadt Mutiny?

In March 1921 sailors mutinied and demanded multi-party democracy and civil rights at the Kronstadt naval base. As the sailors were the heroes of the 1917 revolution their revolt was a great shock to the regime.

How were divisions within the party created?

A group called the Workers’ Opposition grew up under Alexander Shlyapknikov and Alexandra Kollontai and they criticised Trotsky’s plan to make trade unions agencies of the state. The trade union debate caused furious arguments inside the party at the end of 1920.

How much growth within the party was there due to the Civil War? What threat did this pose?

From 300,000 members at the end of 1917 to over 730,000 by 1921. This posed a threat against party stability. To ensure conformity within the Party a firm line had to be taken against dissent.

When was the tenth party congress held?

March 1921

What measures were put forward at the 10th party congress of 1921?

• The ban on the formation of factions within the party known as ‘On Party Unity’ which was an attempt to impose the view of the leadership on the party