New+Economic+Plan

The New Economic Plan (1921-1927) The Russian economy before World War I was dominated by a minority within the country, known as the bourgeoisie, and they refused to relinquish their hold on the Russians. The communist Bolsheviks at the time were disgusted at how such a small group of the entire nation could have them so wrapped around their fingers, but it was so. When the Russian Revolution of 1917 sparked the communist take over of Russia, it was taken special care of to make sure the return of the economic dominate class of bourgeoisie never return, hence the idea of equality. However after World War I and both of it's revolutions Russia was left in pieces with barely any provisions for its military. Therefore Lenin, during his reign, installed the New Economic Plan (NEP) in 1921, which allowed the government to take the necesary provisions from the farmers and peasants of the country such as food and in return what ever harvest they have left they will be allowed to sell on a small market for personal profit. This worked for awhile, until Stalin came into power and, out of fear for the return of the bourgeoisie, squashed what ever piece of capitalism Russia had. Instead Stalin enforced a complete command economy, or government controlled economy, all throughout the USSR.

The image used is not correct for the NEP of Lenin. This specific image has to do with Stalin taking complete reins of the economy.