The economy transition - Lenin to Stalin

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 Lenin to Stalin - Economy 

Similarities

  • Partial moves to Socialism; for example, Lenin's decree on land 1917 abolished private ownership of land. Stalin's Collectivisation was also partially a step to socialism as it involved grain requisitioning and procurement quotas from all
  • Exerted control and authority in imposing the economic policies
  • Food requisitioning (Lenin 1918, Stalin's Collectivisation 1929 was similar, particularly in abuse of the Kulaks' grain)
  • Collective farming under Lenin was partially replicated by Stalin through Collectivisation (again, I know!!) in which Kulaks were attacked and grain taken away to be used collectively

Differences

  • Stalin was far less into Socialist principles - eg Lenin gave workers control of factories etc (failed) whereas Stalin, though with some socialist principles, mainly wanted personal control
  • While Lenin was hesitant with regards to nationalisation (extended it in 1920s due to pressure form civil war), Stalin promoted it
  • War communism used by Lenin - all private trade and manufacture forbidden, an extension of class warfare. Stalin did extend class warfare but not through war communism
  • Lenin's New Economic Policy. It allowed for private ownership of land, and business; many saw it as an ideological betrayal. It got the economy moving again, but wasn't a permanent solution
  • Stalin had more focus on industrial development - 'Great Turn' and his subsequent Five Year Plans

Overall comparison

As a whole, Stain and Lenin shared many qualities economically, though arguably Stalin was both far more extreme and successful. For example, Lenin's New Economic Policy was not very successful, functioning only as a bridge for newer policies. In contrast, (thought cruel) Stalin's Five Year Plans and Collectivisation policy were effective and boosted industrial development. 

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