Definition:
In 1921 Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy, a hybrid of socialist and capitalist ideas in an attempt to revive the Russian economy. Those who were able to profit from the new system – profit was allowed in order to encourage growth – became known as Nepmen, and usually included richer ‘kulak’ peasants, shopkeepers and owners of the smaller businesses not under government control.
The Nepmen were largely reviled by the Bolshevik government, and suffered when Stalin announced a shift away from the NEP and onto rapid, government controlled industrialization.
In 1921 Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy, a hybrid of socialist and capitalist ideas in an attempt to revive the Russian economy. Those who were able to profit from the new system – profit was allowed in order to encourage growth – became known as Nepmen, and usually included richer ‘kulak’ peasants, shopkeepers and owners of the smaller businesses not under government control.
The Nepmen were largely reviled by the Bolshevik government, and suffered when Stalin announced a shift away from the NEP and onto rapid, government controlled industrialization.