Gorbachev's Inherited Economic Problems

Question 1

What was the percentage of economic growth in the USSR by 1980? How did this compare to the 1950s percentage? (2)

Answer 1

1980: Below 1%
1950s: 7%

Question 2

What was the attitude of party officials to changing Soviet economy? (1)

Why? (1)

Answer 2

1. They were resistant to change.

2. They feared it would decrease the party’s power.

Question 3

Which report in 1983 was largely ignored by the Politburo (1)

Why was it largely ignored? (1)

Answer 3

1. Novosibirsk Report of 1983.

2. Because it showed the weaknesses of the Soviet economy.

Question 4

1. What percentage of Soviet GDP was spent on defence by 1985 and what was this due to? (2)
2. How did this compare to the USA’s defence spending? (1)

Answer 4

1. 17% of GDP due to the Cold War Arms Race.

2. USA: Only 6% of GDP.

Question 5

1. What percentage of machinery was never used in 1986 according to GOSPLAN? (1)

Answer 5

1. Approx 10%

Question 6

1. What percentage of people in USSR in 1960s worked on farms? (1)
2. How did this compare to the USA? (1)
3. How many times more productive were USA farms compared to USSR farms? (1)

Answer 6

1. 25%.
2. 5% in USA.
3. 6x more productive.

Question 7

1. What were the problems with the command economy? (2)

Answer 7

1. Failed to account for local trends and conditions.

2. Focused on quantity over quality.