Part 6/10:
In the wake of the revolution, the Bolsheviks instituted "War Communism," nationalizing industries and forcing agricultural collectivization. Initially, these draconian measures led to severe economic decline, which prompted a temporary shift to the New Economic Policy (NEP) allowing for limited private ownership and market dynamics to revive the economy.
The landscape shifted dramatically in 1928 when Joseph Stalin solidified his power and reverted to heavy state control through the implementation of Five-Year Plans aimed at rapid industrialization. These plans prioritized heavy industry over consumer goods, marking a significant turning point in Soviet economic policy.