The new economic policy that Lenin introduced in the Soviet Union in 1921 was called the New Economic Policy (NEP). It represented a significant shift from War Communism, allowing some private enterprise and small-scale capitalism to revive the economy after the devastation of the Russian Civil War. The NEP permitted farmers to sell their surplus produce on the open market and encouraged small businesses, while the state retained control over major industries. This pragmatic approach aimed to stabilize the economy, alleviate food shortages, and reduce public discontent, creating a more conducive environment for the communist regime's long-term goals.