Economic Developments

what was the great turn?

-NEP was abandoned and Stalin committed to rapid industrialisation whatever the cost.

-Previous policies to help the peasants were scrapped to make way for brutal enorcement of collectivisation.

what were the problems with the russian economicy when stalin took over?

As Stalin took over, production was weakened by strikes, poor management and low levels of mechanisation

-officials blamed Nepmen for obstructing central planning, while factory maangers blamed government officials for demanding low prices.

through industrislastion, stalin wanted to increase military strength. why?

-Stalin understood that an a nation that was not industrialised would not survive modern warfare

-During the 1920’s, Stalin developed a fear that the USSR would be attacked

through industrislastion, stalin wanted to achieve self sufficency. why?

-Stalin wanted to achieve self sufficency and make the USSR less dependent on western goods.

-He wanted the USSR to have a strong industrial base to produce the goods it needed for economic independence.

through industrislastion, stalin wanted to increase grain supplies. why?

Stalin wanted to end dependence of the economy on a backwards agricultural system.
-this would avoid economic turmoils during bad harvests.

through industrislastion, stalin wanted to move towards a wsocialist society. why?

-According to Marxist theory, socialism can only be achieved in a highly industrial state with a majority working class population.
-in 1928, only 20% of the USSR were workers.

through industrislastion, stalin wanted to establish his credentials why?

-Stalin aimed to establish himself as the successor and equal of Lenin via his economic transformation of the nation.

through industrislastion, stalin wanted to improve standards of living. why?

Stalin aimed to catch up with the west, and prove that the communist life was a good life.

when was the first 5 year plan launched, and what were its goals?

First Five Year Plan launched in 1928. it aimed to:

-develop heavy industry

-improve transport

-Boost overall production by 300%

-generate 6 times more electric power by 1933 than 1928

-increase agricultural production

-light industry was given low priority but still expected to double its output.

what are examples of plans to build huge new industrial complexes?

-the steel city of magnitogorsk 1929

-plans for new tractor factories in stalingrad and kharkiv.

what were some early critiques of stlains decission to industralise

Many in the party viewed the Kulaks as the backbone of the agricultural economy

-they were scared that harsh collectivisation would result in less food being produced.

why was the decision to collectivise made?

the decision to collectivise was made because:

-the grain procurement crisis in the winter of 1927-28
-to feed the industrial workforce during the 5 year plan

-collectivisation was ideologically sound, and kulaks were viewed as an obstacle to socialism.

what was stalins ural siberian method?

-stalins officials/police pratoled the siberia/the urals, closed freee markets, and used article 107 of criminal law to stop speculation and pressure local officials to seize grain by force