Post-war economy

Question 1

Industrial development 1945-53

Answer 1

• from WW2 USSR lost 70% of industrial capacity
• Lend Lease ended in 1947
• Refused to allow the satellite states to receive Marshall Aid and instead set up the Comecon to coordinate the economies of these states.
• Cominform was set up to spread state propaganda
• During WW2 new factories had been built in the East; this helped the exploitation of raw materials
• Gosplan introduced 2 more five year plans

Question 2

4th 5 year Plan

Answer 2

• 1946-50
• concentrated n heavy industry, transport and rebuilding the Ukraine
• Production doubled
• 1947 the Dnieper Dam poor station was back into action
• long hours low pay
• Extra labour provided from labour camps
• By the end, the USSR came second to the USA in industrial capacity.

Question 3

5th 5 year plan

Answer 3

• 1951-55
• concentrated on heavy industry and transport
• more investment in consumer goods and housing
• After Stalin’s death, Malenkov also reduced expenditure on the military and heavy industry (these changes were met with opposition resulting in his loss of leadership 1955)
• National income increased by 71% during this plan.