4.3 Life in the USSR Flashcards
When were internal passports issued?
In 1932, which identified people by their class, job and ethnic and social background
Why were these passports significant?
Because ‘desirable’ people could get better jobs and housing
Why were these passports disliked?
Because those from a less ‘desirable’ background found life much harder
How were living and working standards for many?
They were low. However, life was better for workers than for peasants
How was life better for workers than for peasants?
Urban workers received higher pay and had access to more food and goods
How was housing conditions for workers in the town?
Housing was low quality.
Where did most workers live?
Most workers lived in barracks, with little comfort
Where did the better-off workers live?
Some workers lived in small flats with communal kitchens and toilets
How was the food supply for the workers?
Food supply was low.
Between 1928 and 1933, how much did food supplies decrease?
Food supplies (meat, fruit and milk) decreased in Leningrad by 66 percent
When did food rationining end?
It officially ended in 1935, but there still wasn’t enough for the people
How did people try to get food?
They stood in line and queued to get food
What did the Five Year Plan focus on?
Mainly on heavy industry and transportation
What was a disadvantage of the Five Year Plan?
Basic necessities such as shoes and clothing were in short supply
How were working conditions for the workers?
Working conditions were hard, and in 1932 if a worker missed a day of work, they lost their job.
What rule was implemented in 1940?
If a worker was 20 minutes late they had a 25 percent cut in pay for 6 months!
How was health and safety for these workers?
Health and safety was limited and accidents were quite frequent
What major difference to working did Stalin reintroduce?
Workers had to compete with each other for better pay and conditions.
Why was this significant?
Because it had gone against early communist ideas about equality of wages
How was personal freedom limited for the workers?
Since the government prevented people from moving freely around the country looking for jobs
By the end of 1934 how many internal passports were issued?
27 million!
What happened if one failed to show their internal passport?
If someone failed to show their passport, the police had the ‘right’ to arrest and imprison them
How were housing conditions for peasants in the countryside?
They had very basic housing, with outside toilets and water drawn from wells
How was the food supply for the peasants?
Although the peasants made the food, they didn’t get as much as town workers
How were working conditions for the peasants?
Work was hard, there were few tractors or other agricultural machinery
How was personal freedom limited for the peasants?
They did not want to lose control of their land so they followed orders taking away their freedom
How did this affect their productivity?
The peasants worked slowly and had no incentive to work
How did the governmemt respomd to the lack of productivity?
They allowed the peasants to keep the money they earnt to oncrease productivity
What happened in the first 6 months of 1933?
400,000 people were arrested as ‘undesireables’ since they didn’t have their internal passports
Who were these 400,000 people?
Prostitutes, beggars, ex-aristicrats, but mainly ex-kulaks and peasants
What happened to these 400,000 people?
Many were dumped in the Urals and western Sibeira and others drifted back to thier home areas
How did those who drifted to their home areas get there?
They used forged papers and were often helped by factory managers who needed workers
How were living conditions for party officials and members of government?
They enjoyed a relatively luxurious lifesstyle,
What advantages did they have normal people did not?
They had access to shops, where they buy clothes,food, and even goods
Why were they given this privellege?
It was a way of rewarding them for their loyalty and encouraging others to be like them
What was the new ruling class set up?
It was set up so its members owed everything to the communist system
What risk did the people in high positions have?
If they failed to deliver their targets, it could cost them their lives amd destroy their families
How was there a lack of gender-equality in towns and the countryside?
The male authority viewed the women as a question to access paid employnment in industries.
Why were there more female workers in 1941?
Because equality in pay and promotion for woman was not a priority.
Why was life harder for female workers?
Because they had lower pay then men, were rarely promoted and were expected to work at home
