Russia: Life under Stalin Flashcards
1
Q
What was detailed in Lenin’s testament?
A
That he would have preffered Trotsky to take over from him (described as ‘probably the most capable man in the present Central Committee”) than Stalin (Lenin stated he was ‘not sure whether he will always be capable of using [his] authority with sufficient caution”)
Testament was never published in Russia, giving Stalin greater chance of sucess against Trotsky
2
Q
What were Trotsky’s mistake in the battle for leadership with Stalin?
A
- Seriously underestimated Stalin, as did other contenders - all more concerned with each other and didn’t see Stalin as threat (allowed Stalin to become, unknowingly to the others, steadily more powerful)
- He argued that future security of Russia was in spreading permanent revolution across the globe - many were worried that he would involve USSR in more conflicts and that his radical policies might split party
3
Q
3 things…
How did Stalin’s cunning win the battle for leadership?
A
- Made great effort to associate himself with Lenin wherever possible - tricked Trotsky into thinking Lenin’s funeral was a day before it actually was, meaning Trotsky missed the funeral and Stalin appeared as chief mourner and closest comerade and follower
- Took on many important jobs within party like General Secretary, and used the positions to put own supporters into important posts and remove supporters of opponents
- His policies were met with greater favours than Trotsky’s e.g. established “Socialism in One Country” instead of spreading it worldwide, appealing to Russian’s sense of nationalism
By 1929 he was the unchallenged leader
4
Q
How did Stalin’s luck help him win the battle for leadership?
A
Trotsky fell ill in late 1923 with malaria-like infection - just when Lenin was dying and he needed to be his most active.
5
Q
What are the 5 reasons as to why Stalin wanted to modernise the USSR?
A
- Ideology
- Personal reputation
- Socialism in one country
- Security
- Power and control
6
Q
I…
Explain the 1st reason as to why Stalin wanted to modernise the USSR.
A
- Communist theory said that most people had to be workers for communism to work
- In 1928 only about 1 in 5 Russians were industrial workers
- Stalin was trying to build power base of industrial workers who he hoped would benefit from industrialisation and so would support him
7
Q
S…
Explain the 4th reason as to why Stalin wanted to modernise the USSR?
A
- WW1 had shown that country could only fight modern war if it had industries to produce weapons and other equipment needed - immposible to equip army with rifles and uniforms without factories to make them
- These factories needed iron, steel, textiles and other resources to do this, and without coal and electricity to power them there wouldn’t be factories anyway
- Also planned for many of new industrial projects to be further east in USSR, safer from invasion
8
Q
What were the Five year plans (5YP’s)?
A
- Plans drawn up by GOSPLAN, state planning organisation set up by Lenin in 1921
- Set ambitious targets for production in vital heavy industries (coal, iron, oil, electricity)
- Plans were complex but were set out so that by 1929 every worker knew what they had to achieve
9
Q
6 points…
Describe the first 5yp.
A
- First 5yp (from 1928-32) focused on major industries and although most targets weren’t met, achievements were still staggering - USSR increased production and created foundation on which to build next 5yp’s
- Whole cities build from nothing (e.g. Magnitogorsk) and workers taken out to new industrial centres
- New dams and hydroelectric power fed industry’s energy requirements
- New Russian ‘experts’ flooded into Muslim republics in C. Asia like Uzbeck and Kazak, creating industry from scratch in previously underdeveloped areas
10
Q
Describe second 5yp.
A
- Second 5yp (1933-37) build on achievements of first
- Heavy industry still priority but other areas also developed
- Mining for lead, zinc, tin and other materials intensified as Stalin further exploited Siberia’s rich mineral resources
- Transport and communications also boosted, new railways and canals built (e.g. Moscow underground railway)
- Stalin also wanted industrialistion to improve Russia’s agriculture and production of tractors and other farm machinery increased
11
Q
Describe the third 5yp.
A
- Thrid 5yp begun in 1938, where some factories were to swtich to production of consumer goods
- Plan disrupted by WW2
12
Q
What was the impact of the 5yp’s on targets, hard work and propaganda?
A
- Many foreign experts and engineers called in to supervise work, who marveled at toughness of Russian people
- Workers constantly bombarded by propaganda, posters, slogans and radio broadcasts - all had strict targets to meet and were fined if they weren’t met
- Most famous worker was Alexei Stakhanov:
- In 1935, with 2 helpers and easy coal seam to work on, he managed to cut an amazing 102 tons of coal in one shift (14 times the average for 1 shift!)
- He became ‘Hero of Socialist labour’, and propaganda machine encourgaed all soviet workers to be Stakhanovites
13
Q
What was the impact of the 5yp’s on slave labour?
A
- On great engineering projects like dams and canal, many workers were prisoners who were sentenced to hard labour for being political or suspected opponents of Stalin, or being Kulaks or Jews
- Many other prisoners were simply unfortunate workers who had accidents or made mistakes in work and been guilty of ‘sabotage’
- On these major projects, conditions were appaling and there were many deaths and accidents - it’s estimated that 100,000 workers died in construction of Belomor canal
14
Q
What was the impact of the 5yp’s on wages and living conditions?
A
- In towns and cities, most housing was provided by state, but overcrowding was problem
- Most families lived in flats and were crowded into 2 rooms, used for living, sleeping and eating
- Wages actually fell between 1928-37
- In 1932 husband and wife who both worked earned as much as one person had in 1928
- At same time, concentration on heavy industry meant that there were few consumer goods that ordinary people wanted to buy
15
Q
What was the impact of the 5yp’s on repression?
A
- Stalin was also prepared to destroy way of life of soviet people to help industrialisation
- E.g. in republics of central Asia, influence of Islam was thought to hold back industrialisation, so from 1928-32 it was repressed
- Many muslim leaders imprisoned or deported, mosques closed and pilgirmages to Mecca forbidden
16
Q
What was the impact of the 5yp’s on punishments and blame?
A
- Factory discipline was strict and punishments severe
- Lateness or absence punished by sacking, which often meant losing your flat or house as well
- In rush to fulfil targets, many products were poor quality
- Some factories overproduced massively while others had to shut down for short periods as they couldn’t get parts and raw materials
- Blaming workers was good way of excusing mistakes made by management, although many workers were unskilled ex-peasants, and did sometimes cause damage to machinery and equipment
Things did improve under 2nd and 3rd 5yp’s though
