Why did the Bolsheviks introduce War Communism?

They had to feed the Red Army and the cities while the Civil War raged, and they also wanted to push the country quickly towards a fully state-run economy.

Why did War Communism become so hated?

Peasants stopped growing anything beyond their own needs, so famine followed, while factory workers resented the discipline and the hunger in the towns.

What convinced Lenin to change course in 1921?

Famine, collapsing production and revolts such as Kronstadt persuaded him the government would fall unless peasants were given a reason to grow food.

Edexcel GCSE History 1HI0

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88British depth

Topic overview Anglo-Saxon government, economy and society The last years of Edward the Confessor and the succession crisis The rival claimants for the throne The Norman invasion, 1060–66 Establishing control, 1066–87 Anglo-Saxon resistance, 1068–71 The legacy of resistance to 1087 Revolt of the Earls, 1075 The feudal system and the Church Norman government, 1066–88 The Norman aristocracy, 1066–88 William I and the succession

British America, 1713–83: Empire and RevolutionPeriod study

Topic overview Developments in colonial society Slavery in North America Problems within the colonies The impact of cultural developments War in the colonies The aftermath of the French and Indian war American colonist relations with Britain: growing opposition, 1765-75 The War of Independence 1775-83 Consequences of the war in America

Conflict in the Middle East, 1945–95Period study

Topic overview The British withdrawal and the creation of Israel Aftermath of the 1948–49 war Increased tension, 1955–63 The Six Day War, 1967 Aftermath of the 1967 war Israel and Egypt, 1967–73 Diplomatic negotiations, 1974–95 The Palestinian issue, 1974–95 Attempts at a solution

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Topic overview Factors driving change in crime and punishment, c1000–present Nature and changing definitions of criminal activity, c1000–c1500 The nature of law enforcement and punishment, c1000–c1500 Case study: the Church, sanctuary and trial by ordeal Nature and changing definitions of criminal activity, c1500–c1700 The nature of law enforcement and punishment, c1500–c1700 Case studies: the Gunpowder Plot and Matthew Hopkins Nature and changing definitions of criminal activity, c1700–c1900 The nature of law enforcement and punishment, c1700–c1900 Case studies: Pentonville prison and Robert Peel Nature and changing definitions of criminal activity, c1900–present The nature of law enforcement and punishment, c1900–present Case studies: conscientious objectors and Derek Bentley

Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88British depth

Topic overview The situation on Elizabeth’s accession The ‘settlement’ of religion Challenge to the religious settlement The problem of Mary, Queen of Scots Plots and revolts at home Relations with Spain, 1569–88 Outbreak of war with Spain, 1585–88 The Armada, 1588 Education and leisure, 1558–88 The ‘problem’ of the poor Exploration and voyages of discovery Attempted colonisation of Virginia

Henry VIII and His Ministers, 1509–40British depth

Topic overview Henry VIII, Renaissance Prince The rise of Wolsey and his policies Wolsey’s foreign policy, 1509–29 Wolsey, Catherine, the succession and annulment Cromwell’s rise to power, 1529–34 The king’s marriages, 1529–40 Cromwell and government, 1534–40 The fall of Cromwell The break with Rome Opposition to, and impact of, Reformation, 1534–40 The dissolution of the monasteries The Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536

London and the Second World War, 1939–45Paper 1 option

Topic overview London at the outbreak of the Second World War The nature of attacks on London The impact of the Blitz on civilian life London’s response to the war Britain and the Second World War: the wider context Sources for a London Blitz enquiry

Mao’s China, 1945–76Modern depth

Topic overview The Civil War, 1945–49 Communist rule, 1945–59 Consolidating the CCP’s hold on power, 1951–52 The Hundred Flowers campaign, 1956–57 Early changes in agriculture, 1949–57 Industry and the Five-Year Plan, 1953–57 The Great Leap Forward Economic reform, 1962–65 Reasons for the Cultural Revolution The Red Guards and the Red Terror The effects of the Cultural Revolution The end of the Cultural Revolution, 1968–76 Communist control, 1949–76 Family life and the role of women Education and health, 1949–76 Cultural change, 1949–76

Medicine in Britain, c1250–presentPaper 1 option

Topic overview Factors driving change in medicine, c1250–present Ideas about the cause of disease and illness, c1250–c1500 Approaches to prevention and treatment, c1250–c1500 Case study: the Black Death, 1348–49 Ideas about the cause of disease and illness, c1500–c1700 Approaches to prevention and treatment, c1500–c1700 Case studies: William Harvey and the Great Plague of 1665 Ideas about the cause of disease and illness, c1700–c1900 Approaches to prevention and treatment, c1700–c1900 Case studies: Jenner’s vaccination and the 1854 cholera outbreak Ideas about the cause of disease and illness, c1900–present Approaches to prevention and treatment, c1900–present Case studies: penicillin and the fight against lung cancer

Migrants in Britain, c800–presentPaper 1 option

Topic overview Factors driving change in migration to Britain, c800–present The context for migration, c800–c1500 The experience and impact of migrants, c800–c1500 Case study: York under the Vikings The context for migration, c1500–c1700 The experience and impact of migrants, c1500–c1700 Case studies: Flemish and Walloon migrants, and the Huguenots The context for migration, c1700–c1900 The experience and impact of migrants, c1700–c1900 Case studies: Liverpool, and Jewish migrants in the East End The context for migration, c1900–present The experience and impact of migrants, c1900–present Case studies: Bristol, and Asian migrants in Leicester

Notting Hill, c1948–c1970Paper 1 option

Topic overview The local context of Notting Hill The influence of Caribbean cultures on the area Racism and policing Black activism in the Notting Hill area Migration, race relations and the national context Sources for a Notting Hill enquiry

Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41Modern depth

Topic overview The growth of opposition to the tsar in early 1917 The February Revolution The Provisional Government The Bolshevik Revolution Early consolidation of power, 1917–18 The Civil War, 1918–21 Moves towards totalitarianism, 1917–24 Economic and social change, 1918–24 The struggle for power, 1924–28 The use of terror in the 1930s Propaganda and censorship, 1924–41 The Cult of Stalin Agriculture and collectivisation, 1924–41 Changes in industry, 1924–41 Life in the Soviet Union The position of women and ethnic minorities

Spain and the ‘New World’, c1490–c1555Period study

Topic overview Spanish exploration, c1490–1512 Columbus reaches the Americas Spanish claims in the Caribbean The start of an empire The conquest of Mexico Impact of Spain in the Americas Pizarro and the conquest of the Incas Expansion of empire, c1528–c1555 Impact of the 'New World' on Spain

Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941–91Period study

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The American West, c1835–c1895Period study

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The British Sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: Injuries, Treatment and the TrenchesPaper 1 option

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The USA, 1954–75: Conflict at Home and AbroadModern depth

Topic overview The position of Black Americans in the early 1950s Developments in education, 1954–60 The Montgomery Bus Boycott and its impact, 1955–60 Opposition to the civil rights movement Developments, 1960–62 Peaceful protests and their impact, 1963–65 Malcolm X and Black Power, 1963–70 The civil rights movement, 1965–75 Reasons for US involvement in the conflict in Vietnam, 1954–63 Escalation of the conflict under Johnson The nature of the conflict in Vietnam, 1964–68 Changes under Nixon, 1969–73 Opposition to the war Support for the war The peace process and end of the war Reasons for the failure of the USA in Vietnam

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Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: Crime, Policing and the Inner CityPaper 1 option

Topic overview The local context of Whitechapel The inhabitants of Whitechapel The organisation of policing in Whitechapel Investigative policing in Whitechapel The Metropolitan Police and the national context Sources for a Whitechapel enquiry

Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41

Economic and social change, 1918–24

3 things to know
Paper 3

Overview

Why War Communism was introduced, state-run industry and grain requisitioning, why it was hated, Lenin's change of course, the New Economic Policy and its critics and results, and policy on women, education and religion.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What did War Communism mean for industry?

Key term

What was grain requisitioning?

Key term

How were people paid and fed while War Communism lasted?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Why did the Bolsheviks introduce War Communism?
Model answer
They had to feed the Red Army and the cities while the Civil War raged, and they also wanted to push the country quickly towards a fully state-run economy.
2
What did War Communism mean for industry?
Model answer
Large factories were taken over by the state, managers were appointed from above, and workers faced military discipline and long hours.
3
What was grain requisitioning?
Model answer
Armed squads went into the villages and took the peasants' surplus grain by force, leaving them only what officials judged they needed.
4
How were people paid and fed while War Communism lasted?
Model answer
Money became almost worthless and wages were often handed out as food and goods, rationed so that soldiers and workers got the largest share.
5
Why did War Communism become so hated?
Model answer
Peasants stopped growing anything beyond their own needs, so famine followed, while factory workers resented the discipline and the hunger in the towns.
6
What convinced Lenin to change course in 1921?
Model answer
Famine, collapsing production and revolts such as Kronstadt persuaded him the government would fall unless peasants were given a reason to grow food.

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Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88

British America, 1713–83: Empire and Revolution

Conflict in the Middle East, 1945–95

Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000–present

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£6.6 , fixed in 1921.

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AThe huge loss of life left England short of workers.

BForeign craftsmen and labourers were wanted.

CCompetition for work also bred resentment.

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