History, Stalin's Economic Policies

How successful was industrialisation under Stalin? (10)

-It is impossible to know exactly how successful the Five-Year Plans were. Any Soviet figures are unreliable. The Soviet Union was certainly reformed but could it have been achieved with less drastic methods. +The Plans had spectacular economic results. Although not all the targets were met, every Soviet industry made spectacular advances. By 1940 the USSR was the world's second largest industrial power. +Even by 1932, the growth had been astonishing at the time of the Great Depression. Although oil was the only one to reach its target even the least successful had grown nearly 50%. +In 1929 Soviet workers lacked many of the skills needed to carry out the Plans. The investment in education and training had, by 1937, creating a skilled workforce. +A new elite emerged. This included teachers, scientists, engineers, factory managers and skilled workers who were paid more than the ordinary workers and received extra benefits such as better housing. This higher standard of living went against Communist principles. -An endless barrage of propaganda urged the workers to produce more and this together with harsh discipline, poor safety standards and the secret police made life very hard. -With the great increases in population in the cities, it was impossible to build enough houses with many living in overcrowded run-down buildings. -Workers were poorly paid. The value of their wages fell by 50% in the five years up to 1933. There was a great shortage of consumer goods including clothes and shoes.

Explain the difference between 'kolkhoz' and 'sovkhoz'.

A Kolkhoz was a collective farm. A Sovkhoz was a state farm where workers drew wages as per in industry.

What was collectivisation?

A policy to produce more food to feed the workers and to sell abroad to raise money for the industry. Peasants had to give up their small plots of land and pool them with others to make a farm large enough to use machinery and modern methods. The state provided a tractor, other tools, fertiliser and seed and in return bought the produce of each farm at a low fixed price. The peasants received a small wage.

Why was collectivisation opposed by many peasants? (6)

Because they had to meet their quota for the state many of the peasants were starving. The richer peasants would have to give up all the wealth they had acquired for an equal share in the profits of a collective farm. It was made compulsory and so many destroyed their farms and animals. The changes did not necessarily improve the situation with agriculture remaining in depression. It was an attempt to stir up hatred between different classes of peasants. Because of the brutal way in which the kulaks were destroyed.

Why was Stalin more successful at modernising industry than agriculture? (6)

Bolshevik support usually found in towns with soldiers and workers Agriculture was spread across the country Under NEP peasants had been able to make a profit Collectivisation meant greater state control over peasants; kulak opposition Needed education in new methods The industry could more easily be controlled and supervised Genuine support Fear of NKVD drove people on Intimidation

What were the advantages of collective farming?

Collective farming would produce more food for the workers in the cities. It would make farming more efficient as there would be bigger units and more machinery could be used. Collective farming would produce a surplus to sell abroad in order to earn foreign currency to spend on developing the industry. It would allow Stalin to fix the price of food and this would help to keep wages of the industrial workers down. Collective farming would alienate the rich peasants, the kulaks, whom Stalin disliked and it would give him an opportunity to deal with them.

What part did GOSPLAN play in Soviet modernisation?

GOSPLAN was the state economic planning organisation. Initially, it had an advisory role. It set overall targets for industry. It concentrated its efforts on heavy industries such as coal and iron. It planned and invested in vital industries. Each region of the USSR was told its targets. The region set targets for each mine or factory. Individuals were set targets. GOSPLAN was responsible for the administration of the Five Year Plans.

Describe the main features of Stalin's first Five-Year Plan.

It focused on building up heavy industries such as coal, steel, oil and electricity. Workers were encouraged to complete the plan in four years. There were a series of demanding targets to be met. Each factory, refinery, foundry and mine was set its own targets. Managers could be prosecuted if targets were not met. Substantial growth was achieved although it failed to meet its targets.

What was GOSPLAN?

It was an organisation formed in February 1921. It was based in Moscow. It started in an advisory role, co-ordinating the economic plans of the Union's republics. It created a common Union plan. It was made up of experts in the industry, business and finance. In 1925, it started creating annual economic plans. In 1928, with the introduction of Five Year Plans, it became responsible for the creation and supervision of the plans. The goals were set by ministers. Gosplan stipulated the major aspects of economic activity in each economic sector and in each republic or region.

Describe collectivisation.

It was when the state took over agricultural production. Peasants had to put their lands together to form large joint farms. Animals and tools were pooled. It meant that large joint farms could make efficient use of tractors, fertilisers and other modern methods of farming. Produce from collective farms would be sold to the state and the profits shared out. The remaining 10% of produce was to be used to feed the people in the collective.

Describe how peasants were made to accept collectivisation.

Most by fear but some peasants were given extra rewards and responsibilities As per kulaks, arrest, transportation. Gulags, work camps, death

Describe how a kolkhoz was organised.

Peasant farmers did not cultivate their own land but farmed all the land available in cooperation with their neighbours In theory, they then shared the profits In practice, they became state agricultural workers.

What were collective farms?

Peasants were expected to give up their small plots of land which would then be owned by the state. On this state-owned land, the peasants would work for wages. The land was pooled to make it large enough to use machinery and modern farming methods. The state provided machinery, tools and seed. The government bought the produce at a low fixed price.'

Give two ways in which the Kulaks reacted to collectivisations.

Slaughtered livestock Damaged machinery Burnt crops

Why did Stalin want to modernise farming? (6)

Soviet peasants used old-fashioned, inefficient farming methods which failed to produce enough food for the city workers. Stalin wanted to improve industry which would have even more workers that needed feeding. Peasants were needed as industrial workers and would not be available to produce food, therefore, farming needed to be less labour intensive. Stalin wanted to sell more food abroad to fund industrial development. So more had to be produced to give a surplus to sell. He was determined to gain control of the richer peasants and the countryside by introducing Communist ideas of common ownership.

Describe how workers were encouraged to increase production during the Five Year Plans.

Stakhanovite medals, holidays and extra pay Dismissal, humiliation, arrest Period in Gulag Torture, trial and death

What were 'Stakhanovites'?

Stakhanovites were named after Aleksei Stakhanov. He mined 102 tons of coal during his six-hour shift. This represented 14 times his quota. Stakhanovites were workers who set production records. They developed new techniques of production to achieve outstanding results. The piece-rate system meant Stakhanovites earned much-increased earnings. They often had a high standard of living. The achievements of Stakhanovites encouraged officials to raise the "norm" for a quota. As a result, Stakhanovites were not always popular with fellow workers. Stalin raised the status of Stakhanovites to that of the hero of the state.

Why did Stalin introduce the Five Year Plans? (6)

Stalin believed that the Five Year plans were the only way to transform the Soviet Union into an industrial power in a short space of time. He feared an attack from surrounding capitalist countries at any time. Only a strong industrial economy could produce wealth and modern weapons to survive if an attack happened. Stalin thought that if he turned the peasants into industrial workers, he would be able to broaden the support for communism among the people of the Soviet Union. He felt that the success of the Soviet economy would impress workers around the world and increase the appeal of communism in other countries. To reduce the power of the peasants, whom he deeply distrusted, whilst at the same time increasing wealth and provide luxury consumer goods.

Describe how ethnic minorities were affected by Stalin's rule.

Stalin discouraged differing national identities within Russia. He pursued a policy of Russification. Ethnic minority groups were encouraged to see themselves as Soviet citizens rather than separate nationalities. The Russian language was made a compulsory subject in the school curriculum. Russian was made the official language of state organisations like the army. Russians were encouraged to migrate into non-Russian areas. Non-Russian graduates were found jobs in Russia. Thousands of Islamic schools, hospitals and mosques were forced to close. 1.5 million ethnic minorities were deported back to Asia. Despite attempts to enforce changes in language and education, different identities remained strong, especially in rural areas.

Describe Russification.

Stalin discouraged differing national identities within Russia. Stalin wanted people to see themselves as 'Soviets' not Latvian or Ukrainian. Teaching the Russian language in all schools became compulsory. In 1932, citizens had to carry identity booklets which included their nationality. Russian was the language of command in the Red Army. There was mass deportation of ethnic minorities back to Asia. Many Russians were sent to minority areas to live and work. Non-Russian members of the Communist elite in positions of power were removed. Stalin used the purges of the 1930s to target Latvians, Estonians, Finns, Poles and Hungarians within the Soviet elite. Anti-Semitic measures were introduced.

In what ways did Stalin encourage women to participate in his economic changes?

Stalin encouraged women by offering free health care. He offered accident insurance in the workplace. He increased the number of crèches for children of working mothers. He introduced paid holidays. Some factories were encouraged to establish 'sitting' services. This was for mothers so that they could work even while caring for children. Stalin encouraged women into skilled jobs such as doctors and engineers. He promoted the idea that it was normal for women to work in the industry.

Why did Stalin repress ethnic minorities in the Soviet Union? (6)

Stalin had a policy of Russification. Stalin wanted loyal Soviet citizens. He wanted them to forget their culture, language and customs. He was suspicious of anything different. Stalin wanted to diminish the power of religion.

Why did Stalin launch campaigns against the kulaks? (6)

Stalin needed to modernise the USSR's agriculture. The industrial population was growing and they needed to be fed. He also wanted a surplus of grain to export so that he could finance industrial modernisation. The kulaks owned small farms, but these farms were too small to make efficient use of tractors, fertilisers and other modern methods. The kulaks produced enough food for their own families but did not see the significance of producing more for the towns. The kulaks were resistant to change. They did not like being under a local Communist leader and they refused to grow 'new' crops such as flax which was needed by industry. Stalin pointed out that the kulaks were standing in the way of Socialism. He said that they put themselves before their country.

Why did Stalin create a 'cult of personality'? (6)

Stalin wanted to create the 'cult of Stalin' so that he would be worshipped as a leader. This was achieved by having pictures and statues of him everywhere and places were named after him. The history of the USSR was re-written so that Lenin and Stalin were the only real heroes of the Revolution. Soviet artists developed a style known as Socialist Realism. Its aim was to praise Stalin's rule and achievements. The hiding of the truth made many Soviet citizens believe the propaganda. They were told Stalin was a great genius who would look after them, resulting in one of the world's most evil tyrants being loved by many of the people he ruled.

Describe how women were affected by Communist rule in Russia.

The First Five Year Plan showed that there was a shortage of workers and, therefore, more women were encouraged into the industry. Thousands of crèches and day care centres were established so mothers could work. By 1937, 40% of industrial workers were women. Women were encouraged into the health services as doctors and nurses. By 1937, 72% of health service workers were women. In the eyes of the law, women were equal with men, but women rarely took up the most senior positions in industry, politics or the civil service. In the early years of the revolution, abortion and divorce were made easy to obtain, but under Stalin more conservative social values were re-established. The state encouraged marriage and parenthood but the automatic right to abortion was abolished.

What was the impact of collectivisation?

The farms were large enough to use machinery and modern methods. It increased the production of cheap grain to feed the industrial workers and to be able to sell for export. It kept the price of grain low, which meant wages could be kept low. By 1940, agricultural production was beginning to exceed 1928 levels. It meant famine was avoided in the Soviet Union from 1933 onwards. It enabled Stalin to control the peasants.

What were the Five-Year Plans?

The plans were set up by Gosplan, the state planning organisation. The plans set ambitious targets for production in the vital heavy industries, such as coal, iron, oil and electricity. The targets were set out in such a way that every worker knew what he or she had to achieve. The First Five Year Plan (1928-1932) concentrated on heavy industry. The Second Five Year Plan (1933-1937) still concentrated on heavy industry but other areas were developed, such as mining, transport and farm machinery. In the Third Five Year Plan, which started in 1938 and was interrupted by the War, there was a move towards the production of more consumer goods.

What was the impact of Stalin's rule on women?

The role of women was seen as crucial. In theory, they were seen as equal to men. They would have to play their part in any dramatic economic change planned by Stalin. To increase the population, he introduced a new family law. He made divorce more difficult. He made abortion illegal. He gave tax breaks for families having more children. He produced incentives in the workplace. These included free health care, accident insurance, an increased number of crèches and paid holidays. By 1939 women made up a significant part of the workforce (55%). Women held lower positions in the workplace. Women still faced discrimination Women did not hold high positions in the Party. Women still had to run homes as well as work. In practice, equality did not exist.

Describe the main features of collectivisation.

The size of farms was increased. Animals and tools were pooled. Tractors were made available through the government. Peasants were placed on state farms. State farms were run by a central committee. 90% of produce was sold to the state. Each household had one acre of private land. Workers received a percentage of the profit rather than a wage.

What problems did Soviet agriculture face before collectivisation?

The system used was N.E.P., which was capitalist in nature. Peasants were agricultural labourers with no land. Kulaks were prosperous peasants who owned small farms. Farms were too small to be efficient. Farms were too small to use tractors. Under N.E.P., peasants could sell their surplus produce on the open market, and many communists objected to this practice. There were still food shortages. There was insufficient grain to export to earn foreign currency. Some towns and cities did not receive sufficient food for industrial workers. Soviet agriculture needed modernisation.

Why were women important to Stalin's Russia?

Women provided the next generation. Stalin wanted to promote the family. Stalin wanted a higher birth rate. Women were supposed to be equal partners in building the communist state. For Stalin's Five Year Plans to succeed, he needed women to work. Women were a vital part of the workforce. A third of engineers were women by 1939. Nearly 80% of doctors were women by 1939.