Social and Economic Condition of the Soviet Union by 1941

Question 1

Strengths of the economy

Answer 1

-Industrialised and urbanised by 5YP.
-By 1939 33% lived in towns (17% in 1926).
-1940 USSR had overtaken Britain in iron and steel production.
-Heavy industry and rearmament emphasises and spending rose from 27.5 billion to 70.9 billion between 1938-1941.
-Start of war: 230 tanks, 700 aircraft and over 100,000 rifles produced per month.

Question 2

Weaknesses of economy

Answer 2

-Uneven economic development
-Lack of consumer goods
-Poor quality of goods
-Economy not equipped for imminent war (deficiencies in quality/quantity soon apparent)

Question 3

Strengths of society

Answer 3

-Stalin could claim to have made further progress to true socialism.
-Furthered communist ideology.
-Greater control over the people both through factory management and collectivisation.

Question 4

Weaknesses of society

Answer 4

-Stalin had created a hierarchal society dominated by a Party elite.
-Little regard to welfare of urban workers.
-Huge pressure on management e.g 1940 poor quality of production deemed a criminal offense.
-Low quality of life
-Low rations
-Poor housing
-Constant pressure

Question 5

What was the situation when war broke out in 1941?

Answer 5

-Third 5YP incomplete
-Nation still producing less grain than during NEP.
-Unprepared for imminent war.
-Harshness of labour laws/conditions possibly helped prepare labour force to cope with hardships of war.