Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 2: The Bolsheviks in power, 1917–24 - 4 Economic and social…
Full specification wording
Option 30: Key topic 2: The Bolsheviks in power, 1917–24 - 4 Economic and social change, 1918–24: Reasons for, and features of, the New Economic Policy. Different reactions to the NEP. Its effects on the economy, 1921–24.
Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921 to rescue Russia's economy from the devastation of War Communism and the Kronstadt Mutiny.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921 to rescue Russia's economy from the devastation of War Communism and the Kronstadt Mutiny. Key features included ending grain requisitioning, allowing peasants to sell surplus grain for profit, and returning small industries to private ownership. The state retained control of heavy industry, transport, and banking. Reactions varied significantly: peasants and 'Nepmen' (private traders) welcomed the changes, but many Bolsheviks viewed the NEP as a betrayal of communist ideals. Between 1921 and 1924, the NEP successfully revived the economy, increasing both agricultural and industrial output, although it eventually caused the 'Scissor Crisis' where industrial prices rose while agricultural prices fell.
What earns the marks
- Identify the economic and political crises (e.g., Kronstadt Mutiny, famine) that forced Lenin to abandon War Communism.
- Describe the main features of the NEP, such as the reintroduction of a free market for grain and private ownership of small businesses.
- Explain the ideological conflict the NEP caused within the Bolshevik party, contrasting this with the positive reaction of peasants and Nepmen.
- Evaluate the economic impact of the NEP between 1921 and 1924, noting the recovery in production levels alongside emerging issues like the Scissor Crisis.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming the NEP was a complete return to capitalism.
Put it right: State that the government kept control of the 'commanding heights' of the economy like heavy industry and banking.
Confusing the NEP with War Communism.
Put it right: Ensure you distinguish between the forced requisitioning of War Communism and the free market surplus sales of the NEP.
Stating that all Bolsheviks supported the NEP because Lenin proposed it.
Put it right: Explain that many Bolsheviks strongly opposed it as a retreat from Marxist principles.
Exam tips
- Use the Kronstadt Mutiny as a key turning point to explain why Lenin felt compelled to introduce the NEP.
- When discussing reactions, explicitly contrast the ideological dismay of hardline Bolsheviks with the practical relief of the peasantry.
- Support your evaluation of the NEP's economic effects with specific trends, such as the rapid recovery of grain production by 1924.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option 30: Key topic 2: The Bolsheviks in power, 1917–24 - 4 Economic and social change, 1918–24: Reasons for, and features of, the New Economic Policy. Different reactions to the NEP. Its effects on the economy, 1921–24. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following was a key feature of the New Economic Policy (NEP) introduced in 1921?
Listen
Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921 to rescue Russia's economy from the devastation of War Communism and the Kronstadt Mutiny. Key features included ending grain requisitioning, allowing peasants to sell surplus grain for profit, and returning small industries to private ownership. The state retained control of heavy industry, transport, and banking. Reactions varied significantly: peasants and 'Nepmen' (private traders) welcomed the changes, but many Bolsheviks viewed the NEP as a betrayal of communist ideals. Between 1921 and 1924, the NEP successfully revived the economy, increasing both agricultural and industrial output, although it eventually caused the 'Scissor Crisis' where industrial prices rose while agricultural prices fell. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the economic and political crises (e.g., Kronstadt Mutiny, famine) that forced Lenin to abandon War Communism. Describe the main features of the NEP, such as the reintroduction of a free market for grain and private ownership of small businesses. Explain the ideological conflict the NEP caused within the Bolshevik party, contrasting this with the positive reaction of peasants and Nepmen. Evaluate the economic impact of the NEP between 1921 and 1924, noting the recovery in production levels alongside emerging issues like the Scissor Crisis. A common slip: Claiming the NEP was a complete return to capitalism. Instead, state that the government kept control of the 'commanding heights' of the economy like heavy industry and banking. Exam tip: Use the Kronstadt Mutiny as a key turning point to explain why Lenin felt compelled to introduce the NEP.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
New Economic Policy
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Nepmen
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Scissor Crisis
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War Communism
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See every definition
- New Economic Policy
- Introduced by Lenin in 1921 to rescue Russia's economy from the devastation of War Communism and the Kronstadt Mutiny.
- Nepmen
- Private traders who, along with peasants, welcomed the changes brought by the New Economic Policy.
- Scissor Crisis
- A problem eventually caused by the New Economic Policy, where industrial prices rose while agricultural prices fell.
- War Communism
- The policy whose devastation, together with the Kronstadt Mutiny, led Lenin to introduce the New Economic Policy in 1921.
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