The state of Russia by 1941 Flashcards

1
Q

How many new industries were established between ‘28 and ‘41?

A

-8000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What issues were hampering industry?

A
  • Shortage of Labour. Industry was expanding quicker
  • Industrial expansion was largely a result of prison labour. (9 million in camps)
  • Shortage of technical experts. - in part due to Stalin’s purges
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What issues were there in agriculture?

A

-Poorest harvest in 1940 since 1913

  • Rural workers moved around the union for better living standards
  • -> internal passports brought in
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What were living standards by 1940?

A

-During the 30’s wages fell

  • Labour Discipline had become more restrictive
  • > req to leave job, absent= crime , working hours increased

-FYP emphasis on heavy Industry at expense of consumer goods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Politically what was the USSR like by 1941?

A

-One party Dictatorship;

  • Purges meant that Stalin was in complete control.
  • Institutions independent from the party were banned.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What evidence is there to suggest that the country wasn’t a personal dictatorship?

A

-Although eminating from the centre, many of Stalin’s policies required their own momentum from local officials who carried out these policies.

E.g ->Local officials would often protect one another against central demands. -Falsifying of stats

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How can Lenin be seen to be laying the foundations of a one party state?

A

-Lenin forced closure of the constituent assembly in 1918.

Lenin’s constitution only permitted the existence of the communist party.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How did Stalin and lenin differ in dealing with opposition?

A

Lenin:

  • Non violent internal purges ie 150,000 expulsions and ban on factions in party
  • Violent eternal purges:Ie red terror developed prison camp system for political enemies.
Stalin:-Violent internal purges due to paranoia.600,000 party members executed.
Violent external purges:NKVD arrested millions of civilians. destroyed Kulaks ,waged class warfare.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What was the state of the Stalinist economy?

A

-FYP=>Russia into a highly industrialised and urbanised nation.
E.G 17% lived in towns and overtaken Britain in steel production.
=> aided soviet WW2 victory.

Weakness:
-Uneven economic development. (Consumer vs heavy industry)
-FYP–> poor quality of goods and stifled innovation. Falsifying stats.
-unorganised:e.g Agricultural machinary use limited to lack of trained inviduals to repair.
also unorganised due to stalinist purges of beorgois specialists

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What was the state of Stalinist society?

A
  • Communist control of the countryside,Install communal values and banish traditional ideas. (Peasants typically more traditional)
  • Increased urbanisation-> Larger proletariat (backbone of communist state)
  • distinct soviet culture appeared through art and, public celebrations and literature.
  • Living conditions: Low rations, poor prefabricated housing and strict censorship.

-hierarchical society (contradictory to socialism)
=> Dominated by party elite and Normanklatura. Special party privileges .
Contradictory to socialism, instead of state withering away, state became more formidable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What was the state of the soviet union by june 1941?

A
  • Threat of expansionist Germany.Not ready for War.Purges of Red Army weakened Army.
  • Military spending increased fom 16.5% (‘37) to 32.6% in 1940.
  • Threat of being purged meant that military officers didn’t try anything new.
  • Third FYP focus on military spending hampered agricultural development.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Why had Stalin purged the Red Army?

A
  • Trotsky= Stalin’s enemy.
  • Trotsky previously under control of Army therefore possibility that army were loyal to him rather than Stalin.
  • Also to further demonstrate his legitimacy of authority.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly