Stalin Flashcards
What was War Communism and what came after?
Lenin’s attempt to control to control agriculture and food production through the state. Farmers were often requested of all of their food, causing widespread famine.
Taken a step back to NEP.
What was NEP?
Less radical than War Communism, peasants allowed to keep food after paying tax(in goods). State control remained over the ‘commanding heights’ (Heavy industry, transportation, etc).
Seen as favoring peasants over workers.
What was the Left Opposition?
After undermining Trotsky, Stalin joined forces with Grigory Zinoviev and Lev Kamenev. Opposed to NEP (Zinoviev and Kamenev supporte by Moscow and Leningrad - Workers).
Kamenev attacked both NEP and Stalin’s “Socialism in one country” in 1925 - Kamenev voted of Politburo.
Kamenev and Zinoviev was joined by Trotsky in the Unit e Opposition - labeled as factionalists by Stalin.
What was the right opposition?
Nikolai Bykharov, Alexei Rykov and Mikhail Tomsky consodered NEP effective, by giving peasants incentive to produce more.
Stalin changed heart in 1927, and began to critics NEP.
Members of Right Opposition voted of Politburo in 1929.
Were Stalin’s methods legal?
Elected member of Politburo, ppointed General Secretary of the Communist Party and Orgburo -> Hence, given much power.
Opponents voted off Politburo.
Thus, it seems quite legal.
What was the aims of the Five Year Plans and how were they achieved?
Through strict centralized control, the Soviet Union should achieve level of production needed to industrialize and urbanize. Soviet economy based on agriculture, thus new technology needed to be imported, and paid by agriculture -> increase in agricultural production (collectivization of farms).
Describe the First Five Year Plan.
1929-1932. Called for massive increase in industrial output (ambitious for agricultural country without skilled labor).
Started to move peasants to cities to increase production of the means of production (Iron and steel plants - used for electric stations, railways and production of coal and oil).
Lacked necessary skill - encouraged skilled labor from abroad.
Needed to import necessary technology- buy by selling more grain.
Persuade peasants of discipline needed in factory - Introduced harsh labour law and introduce internal passports to prevent workers changing jobs.
Carried out by labour discipline (that needed to be taught peasants), slave labour, propaganda and rewards.
What year did two revolutions break out in the Soviet Union?
1917: The March revolution overthrow the Tsar. The Bolshevik (October) revolution by Lenin and his supporters.
