Source A: Excerpt from a Soviet government report, 1920

'War Communism was introduced to ensure the survival of the Bolshevik government during the Civil War. It involved the nationalisation of industry, requisitioning of grain from peasants, and strict control over workers and soldiers.'

Provenance: Official Soviet government document, 1920.

Source B: A peasant's letter, 1921

'The requisitions have taken all our grain, leaving us barely enough to survive. Our farms are suffering, and we feel betrayed by the government that promised to help us.'

Provenance: Personal letter from a peasant, 1921.

Source C: Statement by a Bolshevik leader, 1922

'War Communism was a necessary measure during the civil war, but it caused hardship among the population and must be replaced with a more flexible policy.'

Provenance: Oral statement by a Bolshevik leader, 1922.

Source D: Historian's view, 2000

'War Communism was a harsh but necessary policy that helped the Bolsheviks consolidate power during the Civil War. However, it also led to economic chaos and social unrest, prompting the introduction of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921.'

Provenance: Modern historian’s analysis.