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Lenin died on the 21st of January 1924 at the age of 53.

Russia: 1921-1924 - Lenin's Last Years

Explore how Lenin governed Soviet Russia in his final years, from the New Economic Policy to rising power struggles that shaped the USSR after his death in 1924.

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Fascinating Fact:

After 1922 Lenin suffered several strokes. His health declined and he played a smaller role in daily government.

In GCSE History, this part of the Russia course looks at Lenin's last years in power. You examine the impact of the New Economic Policy, changes inside the Communist Party, and the growing struggle over who would lead the Soviet state after Lenin.

Key Terms

New Economic Policy (NEP): A policy introduced in 1921 that allowed limited private trade and small businesses while the state kept control of heavy industry and banking.
Politburo: The small, powerful committee at the top of the Communist Party that made key decisions about policy and leadership.
Power struggle: The rivalry between leading Bolsheviks, such as Stalin and Trotsky, to control the party and state as Lenin's influence declined.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What was the New Economic Policy and why was it important?

The New Economic Policy relaxed War Communism and allowed some private trade and profit. It was important because it helped Russia recover from famine and economic collapse after the Civil War.

How did Lenin's poor health affect politics in his last years?

From 1922 Lenin had a series of strokes that left him weak and often absent from government. Other leaders, including Stalin, gained more influence as they handled day to day decisions.

Why was there a power struggle after Lenin's death in 1924?

There was no clear agreed successor, and several leading Bolsheviks wanted control. Differences over policy, personality clashes, and party positions all contributed to a fierce power struggle.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What name was given to the economic policy that replaced "War Communism" as the official state programme in 1921?

The New Economic Policy

Revolutionary Capitalism

Socialism with a Human Face

The Third Way

Lenin was obliged to change his economic policy to deal with the dire conditions persisting in Russia by 1921 - including mass starvation. However, he also needed to persuade his colleagues that he was not betraying the communist revolution that had brought him to power

2 .

Under his new policy for the economy, from 1921 Lenin ensured that major industries remained in state hands. What were these major industries called?

"The commanding heights of the economy"

"The peaks of socialism"

"Irrevocable public ownership"

"The crown jewels of the Revolution"

Heavy industry, transport, banking and the like, had to remain in state hands for Lenin to convince his comrades that there was to be no return to the previous capitalist system

3 .

Lenin suffered at least three identical medical emergencies in 1922-1923. What medical condition was this?

Cancer

Heart attacks

Stroke

Brain tumours

A series of assassination attempts from 1918 did not help Lenin's general health. He died in January 1924 at the relatively young age of 53

4 .

What name was given to the Soviet Communist Party's youth movement, first founded in 1918?

Komsomol

Lenin Youth

Young Soviets

Soviet Pioneers

Communist and Fascist parties always started up youth movements to indoctrinate young people, and to perpetuate their beliefs

5 .

After the Revolution Stalin was given a job. He was made responsible for non-Russian minorities living in the USSR. What was the title of this post?

Commissar for Nationalities

Minister for Ethnic Minorities

Community Relations Commissar

Minister for Multiculturalism

Nearly half of all Soviet citizens were non-Russians, so the minister responsible for them occupied an important position

6 .

Stalin received further promotion in 1922, when he was given responsibility for keeping the Communist Party's membership records up to date. What was the title of this position?

General Secretary of the Communist Party

Secretary of the Communist Party

Principal Secretary of the Communist Party

Chief Secretary of the Communist Party

This post increased Stalin's power enormously, and he also kept the minorities post at the same time. He could advance or block people's status within the Communist Party, or even prevent them from becoming members in the first place. Moreover, if they were already members, he could ensure that they were dismissed

7 .

Which of the following leading Bolsheviks failed to attend Lenin's funeral in early 1924?

Stalin

Trotsky

Pyatakov

Zinoviev

When Lenin died it was important for those who wished to succeed him as Soviet leader to throw their hats into the ring. They could most easily do that by acting as pall-bearers at Lenin's funeral, to show their allegiance to their late leader

8 .

In 1921 a former enemy of the USSR signed a trade treaty with Lenin's regime, although he would not refrain from interfering in her South Asian colonies. To which "former enemy" are we referring?

France

Great Britain

The United States

The Netherlands

Lenin was keen to re-establish relations with former opponents who had supported the White side over the Red during the recent civil war. However, a trade deal was one thing: full-blown political recognition was another

9 .

One of the rival claimants for the Soviet leadership was Nikolai Bukharin, editor of the Communist Party's official newspaper. What was the title of this publication?

Iskra

Izvestia

Trud

Pravda

The editor of the official paper held enormous power, and should have been in a good position to bid for the leadership in 1924

10 .

In 1922 Lenin wrote his will or "political testament", in which he considered the suitability (or unsuitability) of his various comrades to succeed him as Soviet leader. Of which comrade did he write that he was: "...too rude and this defect...becomes quite intolerable..."?

Kamenev

Stalin

Trotsky

Rykov

Lenin's political testament was rigorously scrutinised by his surviving colleagues for an indication of any preference. In fact Lenin criticised all of the contenders for power, possibly favouring some form of collective leadership on his death

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Lenin and the Russian Revolution

Author: Edward Towne