War communism was a policy implemented by the Bolsheviks in Russia during the Russian Civil War from 1918 to 1921. It was characterized by the nationalization of industry, the requisitioning of grain and other foodstuffs from the peasantry, and the centralized control of the economy and political power.
The historical circumstances that led to the creation of war communism were complex and multifaceted. The first factor was the devastation caused by World War I and the subsequent Russian Revolution of 1917. The war had drained the Russian economy and left the country in a state of chaos and disarray. The Revolution had led to the overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of a new socialist government, but it was facing opposition from various groups, including the former Tsarist army, the Whites, and foreign powers who supported them.
The second factor was the impact of the civil war on the Bolsheviks themselves. The Bolsheviks had seized power in October 1917 with the support of the urban proletariat, but they faced a serious challenge from the peasants and the middle classes who were opposed to their policies. The civil war exacerbated this situation and threatened the survival of the Bolshevik government.
The third factor was the need for the Bolsheviks to maintain control over the economy and the country's resources in order to finance the war effort. The policy of war communism was designed to ensure that the Bolsheviks had access to the resources they needed to fight the civil war, and to prevent these resources from falling into the hands of their opponents.
In summary, the historical circumstances that led to the creation of war communism were a combination of the devastation caused by World War I and the Russian Revolution, the challenges faced by the Bolsheviks in maintaining control over the country, and the need to secure resources to finance the war effort. These factors ultimately led to the implementation of policies such as nationalization, requisitioning, and centralized control of the economy and political power, which became known as war communism.