Agriculture and Industry Flashcards
What years did Lenin rule
1917 - 1922
What did Lenin introduce in 1921
NEP (New Economic Policies)
Evidence that War Communism was a success
War Communism theoretically led to full employment, as all able bodied men between the age of 16 and 50 were obliged to work // War communism was a stepping stone to rue communism // lead to virtual abolition of money in Russia (elimination of the free market)
Evidence that War Communism was a failure
Grain requisitioning led to lower rates of agricultural production, agricultural production was 40% lower than 1913 // suffering
When was the Land Decree instated and what was it
October 1917, it abolished private ownership of land.
When was the Decree on Workers’ Control instated and what was it
November 1917, it gave workers full control of the factories
What were the consequences of the Land Decree and the Decree on Workers’ Control
Workers decided to give themselves huge pay rises that lead to inflation, managers were dismissed leaving no one to oversee the running of the factory which lead to inefficiency.
What did Lenin set up to fix the problems caused by the Land Decree and the Decree on Workers’ Control
He set up the Vesenkha (Supreme Council of the National Economy)
Why was War Communism introduced
To ensure that the Red Army was supplied with enough food to win the civil war.
What were key features of War Communism
Forcible requisitioning of food, rationing, near total nationalisation, private trading banned and harsh military style discipline (if you go on strike you get death penalty).
Why was the NEP introduced
Economic considerations - for example production of heavy industry had fallen 20% of its 1913 level. Unpopularity - WC was loathed by the population with many people starving and dying.
What two mini revolutions occurred due to War Communism.
The Tambov Rising in central Russia where 50,000 red guards had to be used to suppress peasants angry about grain requisitioning. The Kronstadt Mutiny was a revolt by sailors at a naval base with a slogan ‘Soviets without Bolsheviks’.
What were the key features of the NEP regarding agriculture
An end to requisitioning (replaced by taxation on any remaining food sold at markets), no forced program of collectivisation.
What were the key features of the NEP regarding industry
The NEP returned small-scale industry to private hands, in state owned factories bonuses were used to try and raise production and the reintroduction of currency for paying wages.
Evidence that the NEP was a success
Industrial output rose rapidly rose rapidly during the first three years (only due to having to fix all the damaged infrastructure from the civil war), the increase in Nepmen (men who took advantage of the NEP to set up small businesses) that lead to life turning to normal.
Evidence that the NEP was a failure
Corruption through the black market flourished with gangs of children running around trying their luck to sell goods, an imbalance between agricultural and industrial goods as food prices fell the price of industrial goods rose meaning everyone started producing those.
What year did Stalin come to power
1928
To what extent did Stalin’s Five Year Plans transform Russian industry between 1928 and 1953?
High production levels in industry, increase in size of workforce and disorganisation of industrial planning.
Evidence for high production levels under Stalin
👉 Oil production increased by 9.7 million tonnes
👉 Iron production doubled
👉 Second Five Year Plan coal increased by 128 million tonnes
Evidence for increase in size of industrial workers
👉 In 1926 to 1932, urban population grew from 26 million to 38.7 million people.
👉 Stephen Hansen states “’industrial
workforce increased from 3.12 million in 1928 to 6.01 million in 1932.”
👉 22% increase of women in the workforce under Stalin
Evidence of chaos and disorganisation in industrial planning
👉 First Five year plan published in 1928 but details only came out in 1929
👉 Historian Martin Mccauley said about unrealistic targets ‘It was as if mathematics had ceased to function.’
👉 Production outstripped demand, 40% goods being wasted
How far was Soviet economy transformed in the years 1918-1953
High production levels in industry, increase in size of workforce and disorganisation of industrial planning.
Evidence for high production levels under Stalin
👉 Oil production increased by 9.7 million tonnes
👉 Iron production doubled
👉 Second Five Year Plan coal increased by 128 million tonnes
Evidence for increase in size of industrial workers
👉 In 1926 to 1932, urban population grew from 26 million to 38.7 million people.
👉 Stephen Hansen states “’industrial
workforce increased from 3.12 million in 1928 to 6.01 million in 1932.”
👉 22% increase of women in the workforce under Stalin
Evidence of chaos and disorganisation in industrial planning
👉 First Five year plan published in 1928 but details only came out in 1929
👉 Historian Martin Mccauley said about unrealistic targets ‘It was as if mathematics had ceased to function.’
👉 Production outstripped demand, 40% goods being wasted
What were the dates of the First Five Year Plan and what did it focus on
1928-1932, concentrated on developing heavy industry and collectivising agriculture, at the cost of a drastic fall in consumer goods
What were the dates of the Second Five Year Plan
1933-1937, continued objectives of the first
What were the dates of the Third Five Year Plan
1938-1941, initially concentrated on consumer goods, then switched to weaponry during the war.
