A level exam: Chapter 15-Economic developments Flashcards
What was State capitalism?
Lenin’s decree on land in 1917 abolished private ownership of land and further decrees recognised workers control over their factories. In 1917 Veshenka was established to supervise and control economic development.
How successful was State capitalism?
Workers failed to organise factories effectively and output shrunk. Some workers awarded themselves unsustainable pay rises and some helped themselves to goods. There was high inflation as there was a lack of goods available and food shortages were worsened.
What happened with food in War Communism?
Lenin introduced food requisitioning after another grain crisis. He encouraged collective farming where peasants would pool resources to farm more efficiently but only a minority of households did this. A food supplies policy was set up to ensure grain was dispersed and peasants were paid fixed prices. However, peasants often had their grain confiscated and they had barely enough to live on.
What happened to the Kulaks during War Communism?
The Kulaks were labelled as enemies of the people and had their stocks seized. This led to grain being hidden and the Cheka had to be used.
What was the result of War Communism on industry?
Railways, banks, power companies and the Putilov Iron Works were nationalised. By 1920 nationalisation was extended to almost all factories and managers were employed to increase output. Working hours were extended and ration books were introduced to replace wages. Private trade and manufacturing was forbidden
What were the problems that War Communism caused?
Harsh requisitioning and the attack on the kulaks reduced the grain supplies. There was a grain shortage in 1920 due to the lack of grain planted and 1/3 of land had been abandoned. Harvests of 1921 only produced 48% of that in 1913 and conditions were so bad that there were reports of cannibalism.
What opposition did the government face?
The famine brought peasant revolts and troops were deployed to deal with trouble and poison gas. The worst revolt was the Kronstandt sailors who sent a manifesto demanding the end to a 1 party state. The Red Arny was sent 5 miles to crush the rebels and 15000 people were taken prisoner.
What was the NEP?
The New Economic Plan introduced state control of transport, banking and heavy industry. It allowed private ownership of smaller businesses and permitted private trade. Rationing ended and industries had to pay their workers from profits. The NEP got the economy moving again although an increase in grain brought down food prices but a lack of goods to buy with money caused them to withhold supplies. The government therefore introduced taxes which forced the peasants to sell. The crisis was short-lived and production levels increased.
Why did Stalin introduce the ‘Great Turn’?
The NEP was failing to produce the growth needed and the war scare made them nervous. They also believed to create true socialism they needed to develop industry.
What was the first Five Year Plan?
It aimed to increase production by 300% and to develop heavy industry. It also wanted to boost electricity by 600% and to double light industry production. None of the major targets were met by electricity, coal and iron output increased.
What was the second five year plan?
It aimed to develop the heavy industry and tp develop communication between cities and industrial areas. The plan had some success as electricity and chemical industries grew. However, oil production failed to meet its targets and there was also emphasis on quantity rather than quality.
What was the third five year plan?
It aimed to develop heavy industry, promote rearmament and to complete the transformation to communism. Heavy industry benefitted with the growth in machinery and steel and oil production stagnated. The plan was disrupted and finished early due to the German invasion of 1941.
What was Collectivisation, Stage 1?
Stalin announced he would annihilate Kulaks as a class and 150000 richer peasants were forced to migrate north and east. In 1930 Stalin announced that 25% of grain farming areas were to be collectivised and by March 58% of peasant holdings were collectivised.
What was collectivisation stage 2?
Between 1930 and 1941 a new drive for collectivisation began. Machine Tractor stations were used to hire machinery and to provide seed. However, there were massive problems with collectivization. Dekulakisation was inhumane and removed the most successful farmers. Grain and livestock was destroyed and collectives were often poorly organised, meaning they weren’t producing much grain. Peasants were meant to receive profits of their farm but these were non-existent. The only way of getting profit was private plots, where 52% of vegetables and 70% of meat was produced.
