R3.3 Economic Development 1924-29

Question 1

In 1924 what was the Soviet economy based on?

Answer 1

the continuation of the NEP, partial return of free markets and private economic activity leading to the return of economic stability

Question 2

What happened between 1927 and 1929?

Answer 2

There was a major shift in economic policy, called the “great turn”. NEP was abandoned and the regime committed itself to rapid industrialisation, previous policies to the peasantry were scrapped to make way for brutal enforcement of collectivisation, this change thus marked end of Leninist era and start of Stalinism

Question 3

What was the issue of wars affecting industrialisation?

Answer 3

After ww1 and the Civil War there was some recovery during the NEP, centrally planned by Gosplan and Veshenka. However, production was weakened by strikes, managerial inefficiency and low levels of mechanisation

Question 4

Who were people blaming during the issue of industrialisation?

Answer 4

Officials blamed NEPmen for obstructing central planners, factors managers blamed government officials for interfering and demanding low prices

Question 5

What was the issue of Industrialisation affected by agriculture and collectivisation?

Answer 5

The regime required sufficient food to supply the industrial workers, also wanted a grain surplus to pay for industrial investment and machinery, hence it was hoped the Kolkhozes and Sovkhozes would achieve this

Question 6

By 1928 what percentage of the peasant population was working on collective farms?

Answer 6

Less than 5% of the peasant population was working on collective farms, little enthusiasm for them among peasants

Question 7

What are the 5 summarised reasons for the shift in policy in the “great turn”?

Answer 7

-Weaknesses in industrial management
-Drive towards industrialisation too slow
-Huge crisis in grain procurement in winter 1927 to 1928
-Many in party impatient to revert to true communist ideology
-Stalins attitudes to economic policy changing

Question 8

What statistic shows the crisis in grain procurement in winter 1927 to 1928?

Answer 8

Amount of grain purchased by the government was 25% down in 1928 compared to 1927

Question 9

What is command economy?

Answer 9

A Marxist theory demanding that the state should control the commanding heights of the economy to enforce socialism and eliminate capitalism

Question 10

What is speculation?

Answer 10

Refers to peasants buying up grain in the hope that prices would rise, a concern in the winter of 1927

Question 11

What happened in 1925?

Answer 11

14th party congress were there was a call for the transformation of our country from an agragarian into an industrial one

Question 12

What happened in 1926?

Answer 12

NEP maintained but concerns raised as more investment needed to drive industry forwards

Question 13

What happened in 1927?

Answer 13

15th party congress where there was an announcement of the end of the NEP and beginning of first five year plan for rapid industrialisation

Question 14

What were the main aims of the first five year plan?

Answer 14

-Develop heavy industry
-boost overall production by 300%
-Transform society and the economy through electrification
-Feed the industrial workforce through big increases in agricultural production

Question 15

What accompanied the launch of the first five year plan?

Answer 15

Significant propaganda to stir enthusiasm, Stalin claimed the targets of the 1FYP would be fulfilled by the mass enthusiasm of the workers, all pulling together for a great cause. Vast new industrial projects planned such as new “steel city” of Magnitogorsk

Question 16

Stalins rush in the 1FYP aroused enthusiasm from who?

Answer 16

Many party members pleased with end of compromises of NEP, Urban workers hoped for better living/working conditions, however there was also pessimism from those managing industrial production

Question 17

Collective farms were a thing before 1927, but when was the decision to collectivise accelerate?

Answer 17

1929

Question 18

Why was the decision to collectivise necessary?

Answer 18

-Grain procurement crisis winter of 1927-28
-Need for increased food supplies to feed an expanded industrial work force
-Ideological commitment to collectivisation and a belief that rich peasants were an obstacle

Question 19

What is the Urals Siberia method?

Answer 19

Closure of free markets and using police to seize grain and enforce grain production

Question 20

Which year did Stalin announce the decision to smash the Kulaks as a class?

Answer 20

1929