Russia : industrial and social developments

Question 1

How did Stalin plan to advance industry?

Answer 1

Through a series of 5 year plans, all of which aimed to increase industrial devlopment.

Question 2

What was the Gosplan?

Answer 2

State planning agency given responsibility for drawing up plans and establishing output targets for every economic enterprise in accordance with the party directives.

Question 3

Why were targets so ambitious?

Answer 3

To force managers and workers to devote their maximum effort to the programme and the launching and fulfilment of the plans came with propaganda.

Question 4

Why did those who were responsible for ensuring targets were met go to great lengths to ensure statistics showed great improvement?

Answer 4

Inability to achieve a target was a criminal offence.

Question 5

What was the result of fear to fulfil targets?

Answer 5

Corruption and faulty reporting was a prevalent feature from the beginning.

Question 6

When was the first 5 year plan approved?

Answer 6

At the 16th party congress, April 1929, although the plan dated back to October 1928.

Question 7

What was the first issue with the first 5 year plan?

Answer 7

Wasn’t based on secure data and had overambitious targets.

Question 8

Give 3 examples of overambitious targets for the plan.(million tonnes)

Answer 8

Coal production 1927-28 = 34.5 Target production 1932-33 = 75
Oil production 1927-28 = 11.7 Target production 1932-33 = 22
Steel production 1927-28 = 4 Target production 1932-33 = 10.4
Pig iron production 1927-28 = 3.3 Target production 1932-33 = 10

Question 9

What were the aims of the first five year plan?

Answer 9

To increase production by 300%
Focus on the development of coal, iron, steel, oil and machinery
Boost electricity production by 600%
Double the output from light industry such as chemicals

Question 10

What publicity did the plan evoke?

Answer 10

An enthusiastic response.

Question 11

Were the targets met?

Answer 11

Stalin claimed the targets had been met in 4 years but 5 but this was mainly due to overenthusiastic reporting by local officials keen to show their support and effort. In reality no targets met but investment brought some growth.

Question 12

What % of housing was private in Magnitogorsk in 1938?

Answer 12

17.5%

Question 13

How many agitators were employed in 1936?

Answer 13

214

Question 14

What was the role of an agitator?

Answer 14

To discuss political issues and present interpretations of domestic and international events.

Question 15

When did the bank holidays for working men take place?

Answer 15

The day of the October Revolution and May 1st.

Question 16

What % of people were in a form of education in Magnitogorsk?

Answer 16

100%

Question 17

How many seats were sold each year in the Magnitogorsk cinema?

Answer 17

600,000

Question 18

Why were cinemas important?

Answer 18

They were an easy way to spread communist ideology and views.

Question 19

How many books were sold in January 1936?

Answer 19

40,000

Question 20

What was a ‘Red Corner’?

Answer 20

A corner of a barracks dedicated to Lenin, Stalin and Communist ideologies.

Question 21

What campaigns were introduced to improve men’s behaviour?

Answer 21

Campaigns about men’s attitudes towards women and alcohol.

Question 22

Were the campaigns towards women and alcohol successful?

Answer 22

No.