Explain why the NEP was adopted in 1921

was to have capitalism in place until the economy was strong enough to achieve socialism.The NEP succeeded what was known as War Communism. War Communism was a harsh system that took the peasants’ grain off them by force to feed the proletariat and the red army. Lenin knew that the economy needed a kick-start, and the farmers needed an incentive to produce, and this is why the NEP was introduced in 1921.Although the NEP was hated by the Bolsheviks, it was still left wing. It still allowed the Bolsheviks to secure control over large enterprises and banks, but the difference was that it allowed small businesses and farmers to sell their surpluses for profit. Another reason for the introduction of the NEP the fact that there were no other real alternatives that wouldn’t result in a disaster. The main alternative was the militarisation of labour, but Lenin had lost the support of the peasantry because of the severity of War communism. No matter what, the Bolsheviks needed the support of the peasantry, as the made up about 80% of the Russian population. The NEP was also adopted to avoid the possibility of a rebellion, which would result in the collapse of the revolution – Lenin’s primary aim.Lenin adopted the new economic policy primarily to win the support of the peasants who had turned against the government during the period of war communism. In this sense the NEP fully succeeded. It also saw the recovery of the economy to a certain extent, which was what Lenin was aiming for. Lenin, as a pragmatist, saw the NEP as a controlled retreat which would allow Russia to recover from the wars ready for its attack on capitalism and for industrial growth. As with all compromises, there were disadvantages to the NEP. It allowed people to take advantage of the system and enrich themselves; these peasants were given the name “Nepmen”. It also widened the gap between the classes.