A Level History - Russia chapter 11

What was the great shift in economic policy called?

the great turn

When was the great turn?

between 1927 and 1929

What was the great turn?

NEP was abandoned and the regime favoured rapid industrialisation

What were the problems of the Russian economy before the great turn? (3)

production weak (because of strikes, managerial inefficiency and low levels of mechanisation) officials thought nepmen were obstructing central planning, factory managers felt govt officials were demanding too low prices

What percentage of peasants were working on collective farms in 1928?

less than 5

What were the reasons for the great turn? (5)

there were weaknesses in industrial management, drive towards industrialisation was seen as going too slowly, there was a huge grain crisis in winter 1927/1928, many party members wanted to return to Marxist ideology, Stalin's own attitude was changing

What were the harsh economic conditions that peasants and urban workers were both facing before the great turn? (3)

shortages, unemployment, low living standards

How much grain in comparison to the previous year did the government buy in winter 1927/1928?

25% less than previous year

What did 'true socialism' require in terms of the economy? (3)

develop industry, not be dependent on grain and have state control over production

How did Stalin's attitude to economic policy change which led to the great turn?

no longer supported the NEP and was ready to be more radical

When was the end of the NEP announced?

December 1927

Where was the end of the NEP announced?

Fifteenth party conference

What was put in place instead of the NEP?

the first five-year plan for rapid industrialisation

What were the main aims of the first five year plan? (6)

develop heavy industry, boost overall production by 300%, improve transport system, generate 6 times more electric power by 1933 than total in 1928, big increases in agricultural production, double the output of light industry

What was used to generate enthusiasm for the five year plan?

propaganda

What was Magnitogorsk?

a huge new city built on iron which was to be a showpiece of rapid industrialisation

Why were some party members dubious about the five year plan?

felt that the kulaks were the backbone of the agricultural economy and less food would be produced due to rapid industrialisation

Why were some who managed industrial production dubious about the five year plan?

were doubtful that central planning would solve the issues of industry

What were Bukharin's views on economic policy? (2)

believed it was important to help the peasantry and give them incentive to produce more, thought prices should be allowed to rise and encourage peasants to sell more

What were Bukharin's opponents views on economic policy?

wanted faster progress towards modernisation and felt the peasants were in the way of this

What factors were behind the drive to collectivisation? (3)

grain crisis of 1927/28, need for increased food supply to support expansion of industrial workforce for five year plan, socialist belief that collectivisation was best

What was Stalin's 'Urals-Siberia method' in dealing with the grain crisis? (3)

closed free markets, stopped speculation using the criminal law and pressurised local officials and police to seize grain by force

When did the Bukharinists lose the majority they had previously held in the party?

October 1928

When did Stalin start charging Bukharin with 'right deviation'?

November 1928

What did Stalin announce to the Party Congress in December 1929?

that he was ready to impose forced collectivisation without restraint to "smash the kulaks as a class"