How was the NEP different from pure communism?

The New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced by Lenin in 1921, differed from pure communism by incorporating elements of capitalism to revitalize the Soviet economy after the devastation of the Civil War. While pure communism sought to eliminate private ownership and establish a classless society, the NEP allowed for limited private enterprise and small-scale private farming to encourage production and stimulate economic recovery. This pragmatic approach aimed to balance socialist ideals with the practical needs of the economy, marking a temporary retreat from strict communist policies.