Political Attitudes of the RCP(b) Local Authorities in the Nizhny Novgorod Province toward Artisan Production before the Introduction of the NEP (1918–1921)

Abstract

The article focuses on the political attitudes of local RCP (Bolsheviks) to artisan industry before the New Economic Policy was introduced. The archive of RCP(b) documents for the period 1918–1921 is analysed. The War Communism became economically inefficient. The Bolsheviks determined the transition to a new economic policy as a retreat from the vanguard. The hypothesis is that partial acceptance of market mechanisms in the economy required attention to the political factor of working with artisans. The author highlights the main political goals of RCP(b)’s collaboration with artisan industry, including cooperation of craftsmen to form structured units; introducing loyal professionals into artisan production management; establishing state agencies for artisan production management; overcoming the division in management; direct subsidies to ordinary artisans. The Bolsheviks attached special importance to building a unified state top-down structure to manage artisan production. The central place in the management system was occupied by the General Directorate for Handicraft and Small Industry and Commercial Cooperation.