The stagnant Soviet economy

Question 1

Almost until the very end of the CW, what did Soviet propaganda claim?

Answer 1

That the USSR was on the verge of overtaking the developed capitalist economies of the West

Question 2

In 1959 what did Khrushchev famously brag?

Answer 2

That the SU would ‘bury’ the USA economically

Question 3

In 1967 what did the USSR predict?

Answer 3

That industrial production would increase by about 50%

Question 4

What did Novosti, the Soviet press agency, produce?

Answer 4

Much publicity material in the 1980s (for Western consumption), which portrayed the USSR as an increasingly dominant, and economically developed, superpower

Question 5

Why was the Soviet economy actually stagnating from the early 1970s? 5

Answer 5

The enormous costs of the arms race
The unrealistic production targets of the Five-Year Plans
Inefficient central planning methods
Inadequate infrastructure and technology
Corruption within the Soviet elite - nomenklatura

Question 6

What was the SU’s annual growth rate for industrial output in 1967 and 1980?

Answer 6

1967 - 5.25%

1980 - 2%

Question 7

What was the SU’s average annual increase in national income between 1961-1975 and 1976-1990?

Answer 7

1961-75 - 3.4%

1976-1990 - 1.1%

Question 8

What was the SU’s annual growth rate for agricultural output in 1970 and 1980?

Answer 8

1970 - 3.7%

1980 - 0.8%

Question 9

What happened to the USSR’s growing reliance, from the early 1970’s, on the export of oil and gas?

Answer 9

It was hit by a downturn in world energy prices during the 1980s

Question 10

What were Soviet exports on oil like in 1970 and 1984?

Answer 10

1970 - oil accounted for 15.6% of Soviet exports

1984 - oil accounted for over 54% of Soviet exports

Question 11

What was West Siberian oil production like in 1970 and 1980?

Answer 11

1970 - oil production was 31 million tonnes

1980 - oil production was 312 million tonnes

Question 12

What was West Siberian natural gas output like in 1970 and 1980?

Answer 12

1970 - natural gas output was 9.5 million cubic metres

1980 - natural gas output was 156 million cubic metres

Question 13

Between 1980-81 and 1988 what did the real value of crude oil and natural gas drop by?

Answer 13

Crude oil - dropped by 90%

Natural gas - dropped by 50%

Question 14

Why was the USA in a stronger economic position than the Soviets? 4

Answer 14

Soviet economy was about 50% smaller
US economy was more productive
Technologically, most sectors of the Soviet economy were far behind the USA
The Soviet economy manufactured poor-quality products and suffered shortages of essential material