Edexcel GCSE History · 1HI0/30 November 2021, Question 3(a)

In 1921, after three years of War Communism, Russia was in chaos. There was widespread disease and starvation. Industry was producing less than it had before the Revolution. In an effort to restore order, Lenin introduced his New Economic Policy (NEP). The NEP allowed peasants to keep their land and sell off any surplus food they grew. It also allowed some industries to return to private ownership. The NEP allowed the Bolsheviks some time to recover before a real Socialist state could be set up.

The Kronstadt Mutiny was a warning that Lenin could not ignore. The Mutiny gave a focus to the anger of workers and peasants, who felt disappointed by the Bolsheviks. Lenin admitted the Bolsheviks were only just hanging on to power. He told the Tenth Party Congress meeting that the peasant revolts and the Kronstadt Mutiny were more dangerous to the Bolsheviks than the Whites were. The people were no longer willing to suffer in the hope of a better future. The Bolsheviks’ use of terror and military force was no longer enough to keep control.

In 1921, after three years of War Communism, Russia was in chaos. There was widespread disease and starvation. Industry was producing less than it had before the Revolution. In an effort to restore order, Lenin introduced his New Economic Policy (NEP). The NEP allowed peasants to keep their land and sell off any surplus food they grew. It also allowed some industries to return to private ownership. The NEP allowed the Bolsheviks some time to recover before a real Socialist state could be set up.

The Kronstadt Mutiny was a warning that Lenin could not ignore. The Mutiny gave a focus to the anger of workers and peasants, who felt disappointed by the Bolsheviks. Lenin admitted the Bolsheviks were only just hanging on to power. He told the Tenth Party Congress meeting that the peasant revolts and the Kronstadt Mutiny were more dangerous to the Bolsheviks than the Whites were. The people were no longer willing to suffer in the hope of a better future. The Bolsheviks’ use of terror and military force was no longer enough to keep control.

The working classes carried out the October Revolution, and afterwards hoped for freedom. The result, however, has been greater slavery. The Bolsheviks have crushed the peasant revolts and worker strikes with great violence and bloodshed. They have used force and have imprisoned people. The Bolsheviks no longer represent the workers. They have insulted the glorious symbols of the workers’ state: the hammer and the sickle. Here in Kronstadt, we are making another revolution which will free the workers and the Soviets from the Bolsheviks.

The workers and peasants, who have made enormous sacrifices, are totally exhausted. After many years of war, they are unable to work. We were forced to bring in ‘War Communism’ to save us from ruin. It was a temporary measure. Introducing the NEP is now necessary. It will bring back small private industry. It will improve our economy. It will allow peasants to sell their surplus grain. However, our revolution is not threatened by these changes. We must not lose heart, for we shall win through in the end.

In 1921, after three years of War Communism, Russia was in chaos. There was widespread disease and starvation. Industry was producing less than it had before the Revolution. In an effort to restore order, Lenin introduced his New Economic Policy (NEP). The NEP allowed peasants to keep their land and sell off any surplus food they grew. It also allowed some industries to return to private ownership. The NEP allowed the Bolsheviks some time to recover before a real Socialist state could be set up.

The Kronstadt Mutiny was a warning that Lenin could not ignore. The Mutiny gave a focus to the anger of workers and peasants, who felt disappointed by the Bolsheviks. Lenin admitted the Bolsheviks were only just hanging on to power. He told the Tenth Party Congress meeting that the peasant revolts and the Kronstadt Mutiny were more dangerous to the Bolsheviks than the Whites were. The people were no longer willing to suffer in the hope of a better future. The Bolsheviks’ use of terror and military force was no longer enough to keep control.