Economic Developments, 1917-1941 Flashcards
When was War Communism introduced?
1918
Why was War Communism introduced?
Faced with a grain crisis during the civil war so started to requisition food
What were the policies under War Communism?
- Cheka to take grain off the peasants to feed the army
- All private trade and manufacture was forbidden
- Encouraged collective farming
- Kulaks labelled enemies of the people
- Banks, railways, power companies nationalised
- Death penalty for strikes
What was the impact of War Communism?
More communist. Peasants left with not enough grain. Workers lost their freedom. Disrupted production. Cholera. Low grain levels. Food crisis. Rations. Strikes.
Why was the NEP brought in?
War Communism had failed - strikes and riots. Kronstadt soldiers rebelled - worrying.
When was the NEP brought in?
1921
What was Gosplan?
Established by the Sovnarkom. The State General Planning Commission - coordinate economic development.
What were the policies under the NEP?
Rations ended. Grain requisition stopped. Peasants allowed to sell a surplus for profit. Allowed private ownership of small businesses.
What happened as a result of the NEP?
Peasants responded more quickly than workers. Created a scissor crisis (1923)
What was meant by the scissor crisis?
Lots of grain produced but lack of industrial goods.
Why did Stalin need to make agricultural changes?
To allow for rapid industrialization. Surplus grain to be exported for money to purchase industrial equipment. Ideological beliefs. Wanted control of the countryside. Scissors crisis - peasants lost incentive.
What policy did Stalin bring in to make agricultural changes?
Collectivization.
What were the main policies under collectivization?
Forced peasants to join collective farms - controlled by the state. Would seize their grain. Agricultural machinery could be bought and shared - increase efficiency.
What as meant by the term the Great Turn?
More from NEP to collectivisation and the 5 year plans
What was a Kolkhoz?
Collective operative by a number peasant families
Who did Stalin blame grain procurement problems on? What did he do?
Kulaks. ‘Annihilate the Kulaks as a class’. They were executed or deported - dekulakisation
Why were 15% of households destroyed between 1929 - 1941?
Peasants destroyed livestock and crops to avoid being classed as Kulaks
How did Stalin enforce the policy of Collectivisation?
Secret police, army and Party work brigades - forced peasants into forms. Propaganda used. Established 2500 machine tractor stations used to control trouble makers.
Why was there a brief period of voluntary collectivisation?
Because there was lots of hostility
What were the advantages of Collectivisation?
Exports of grain increased. More control of the countryside. New technology. Number of collective farms grew.
What were the disadvantages of Collectivisation?
‘Dekulakisation’ - inhumane, removed the most successful farmers. Grain and livestock destroyed. Unrealistic grain procurement goals - had to hand almost all of their grain. Grain output did not exceed pre-collectivization until after 1935. Poorly organised. Led to famine. Huge loss of life
Why did Stalin need to make changes to industry?
Industry not producing enough. Move away from NEP. Threat of war - increase military strength.
How did Stalin make workers and managers devote their maximum effort to the project?
Set ambitious targets. Propaganda. Strict discipline - by 1939 absenteeism could be punished by pay cuts.
When was the First Five Year Plan?
1928 - 32
What were the aims of the First Five Year Plan?
Increase production by 300%. Develop heavy industry. Boost electricity by 600%. Double light industry output
What happened under the First Five Year Plan?
Publicity - caused enthusiasm. None of the major targets were met but still a massive increase. Electricity output trebled, coal and iron output doubled. Industrial complexes such as Magnitogorsk sprang up.
When was the Second Five Year Plan?
1933 - 1937
What were the aims of the Second Five Year Plan?
Continue heavy industry development. New emphasis on light industry. Develop communication links. Boost engineering.
What happened under the Second Five Year Plan?
Some success. Moscow metro - 1935. Dam - producing hydroelectric power. Heavy industry, electric and chemical grew. Oil production failed to grow. Focus on quantity over quality.
When was the Third Year Plan? Why was it cut short?
1938 - 1942. World War II - German Invasion.
What were the aims of the Third Five Year Plan?
Focus on heavy industry (fear of war). Promote rapid rearmament. Transition to communism.
What happened under the Third Five Year Plan?
Heavy industry, machinery and engineering grew. Consumer goods the lowest priority. Lack of good managers, specialist and technicians following Stalin’s purges.
What were the positive impacts of the Five Year Plans?
Stopped German invasion as a result. New iron company the biggest in Russia - Magnitogorsk. Some enthusiastic about the move to communism. Production increased. Dragged Russia into the modern age.
What were the negative impacts of the Five Year Plans?
Cost of lives. Industrial complexes - no roads, sewage systems, housing and little food. Hard and dangerous work. Not enough materials. Unrealistic goals. Broken machinery left unrepaired. Accused of wrecking (false). Element of fear.
