In 1921, the Kronstadt mutiny, where sailors previously loyal to the Bolsheviks revolted against War Communism. Although the Red Army crushed the revolt, Lenin realized he had to make changes if the Bolsheviks were to stay in control. .
In order to improve the poor living conditions of the Russian people, improve industrial output, so Lenin could stay in power the New Economic Policy was introduced in 1921. The NEP made it so peasants had to give the government a fixed amount of produce as tax, but were aloud to sell surplus for profit. People could use money again to make payments. Small factories were given back to their owners, new small businesses such as shops could be privately owned, and the state continued to run the large factories and banks. The NEP was criticized by many Bolsheviks because it abandoned Socialist principle and took a big step back to capitalism. By 1925, food production had returned to pre-war levels. E.g. coal went from 6.9 million tons in 1921 to 27.6 million tons in 1926.
The originally communistic goals of the revolution when implemented caused great economic problems such as famine, so capitalistic policies had to be introduced to fix up the problems that they caused with their Marxist principles.
Politically in Russia, many different groups and people have said they would bring reforms before the revolution, for example the first Duma was elected in May 10th, 1906. The state council tried to impress the state Duma by showing off all their wealth and power. They hoped that this would awe and intimidate the peasants, however it completely juxtaposed and showed the extreme contrast of Imperial wealth and the poverty of the people. The Tsar could not accept their "radical" demands; equality of all citizens before the law, land reform, universal and free education, more equitable distribution of the tax burden. He therefore dismissed the Duma in July of 1906.