Policy changes in the USSR essays

Policy changes in the USSR essays The reasons for the change in Party policy are the result of unrest in the proletariat class, foreign security concerns, the desire to use terror as a form of control, and the desire for total power by the Soviet leaders. The leadership position may have changed from Lenin to Stalin, however, the underlying desire for total control and power remains constant. It is evident to record a change in the Communist rule from the initial Communist ideals of 1917, through the years of War communism, then to its transition in 1924 to the New Economic Policy (NEP), to 1928 with the introduction of Industrialisation, Modernisation and Collectivisation. Other changes to policy have been recorded in the areas of foreign relations and internal purges. All of these significant changes to party policy have been a direct result of the need to strengthen the economy, hold total support and achieve military control, or more simply, to achieve the aim of totalitarianism. Government soviet policy throughout the period of war communism had been predicated on the use of force and terror to gain political control and economic stability. Lenin's power base diminished from the increasing famine, the collapse of the economy and frequent mutinies, all which were directly attributable to war communism and the demoralizing effect it had on the people. As a result Lenin introduced the NEP which differed from the policy of War communism in that requisitioning was abolished, Kulaks were permitted to sell their surplus for a profit, and a cash economy was reintroduced. These steps essentially returned the country back to many of its capitalistic policies. As Lenin said, "In order to take two steps forward, we shall take one step back." This major deviance from the communist policy beforehand was a direct result of Lenin's need to enforce control over the deteriorating conditions brought about by war communism. R. Daniels explains that, "During the time of the NE P......