The Social + Economic condition of the Soviet union by 1941 Flashcards
Had the economy been transformed following the 3 Year plans by 1941?
By 1941 Starlin’s 5 Year Plans had transformed Russia into a highly industrialised + urbanised nation. All Russian farms had been successfully collectivised + the free market was brought to an end.
However many soviet statistics + claims were exaggerated but nevertheless a remarkable transformation had taken place.
How was the economy transformed?
By 1940 the USSR had overtaken Britain in iron + Steel production + was not far behind Germany.
Starlins emphasis on Heavy Industry + rearmament helped lay the foundations for victory in the second world war as on the eve of war the soviet unions industry had produced 230 tanks, 700 military aircraft + the Budget for defence increased from 3.4% in 1933 to 32.6% by 1940
What were the crucial weaknesses of the economy?
- Economic development was uneven - ie loads of tanks were built but hardly any consumer essentials ie shoes and pots
- Quality of goods was poor , despite labour productivity increasing
The Economy was not geared for the imminent war in 1941 + the welfare of workers was still not considered + they were forced to endure;
- Poor housing
- Lack of goods
- Lack of food
- Huge pressures
The party would force change at any cost + in July 1940 decree was issued making poor quality production a criminal offence.
Quality of life was also poor.
Overall what were the strengths and weaknesses of society by 1941?
The 1930s saw a great deal of social change as a result of Starlin’s economic drive.
Strengths;
- Much greater control over the people particularly peasants in rural areas + peasants supervised by party officials.
Starlin could claim he’d made further progress toward true socialism due to economic changes as by soviet definition socialism meant ‘social’ ownership of the means of production and effectively all people ‘owned’ factories + fields and no profits were being made at others expensive
- Soviets claimed state ownership was a form of protecting the individual against the exploitation of the citizen by profit- seeking capitalist.
Weaknesses;
- What had emerged throughout the 1930s industrialisation drive was very different to original socialist ideals
Rather than a classless society, Starlin helped create a hierarchal society dominated by privileged party elite.
- The peasants were at the mercy of the collectives and the working class + urban workers were no loner at exploited by capitalist employers but instead ruthlessly driven by there soviet masters.
The State had become far more Formidable, Extensive + Brutal.
