Post-GPW - [ADD BITS FROM MISS MEDHURST BOOKLET] post-war reconstruction; industry and agriculture.

Overall, how serious was the impact of the war on Russia?

It was devastating

What proportion of the population were killed by the war between 1941-45?

1/8

Despite the damage caused by the war, what did Stalin promise about the USSR in 1945?

That it would be the leading industrial superpower by 1960

What did Stalin instruct the Gosplan to do in August 1945 to facilitate post-war reconstruction?

Prepare a new Five Year Plan for economic recovery

What were the targets like the in 4th 5YP?

Targets for both industry and agriculture were very ambitious

What proportion of the 4th 5YP’s expenditure was to be spent on Ukraine and why?

1/3, it was one of the areas worst affected by war and was an important region for both industry and agriculture`

What big industrial change started to take place once the war ended?

Much of Soviet industrial production had to be switched away from military needs to the civilian economy.

Was the post-war industrial shift successful at firts?

No - industry struggled to adjust to peacetime conditions in 1945 and 1946

What was electric power production like in 1945/46 compared to pre-war levels?

It was producing about 50% of the electricity it was producing pre-war

What aspect of industry was not effective after the war, which further hindered the recovery of other industries?

Transport infrastructure was still badly disruptd

What was the workforce like post-war?

Exhausted after the colossal efforts and sacrifices demanded by the war

What intensified many of the problems that Soviet industry faced?

The ending of foreign aid through Lend-Lease in August 1945

Despite the challenges facing industry, what was recovery like by 1950?

There was considerable industrial improvement under the 4th 5YP

What was one economic reason why the Soviet industry was able to recover?

War reparations - the Soviet Union insisted on the fulfilment of war reparations from enemy countries (even though many of them had pro-Soviet governments).

What things were transported to the USSR as part of war reparations?

Huge amounts of equipment and materials, especially from the Soviet zone of occupation in Germany. Sometimes whole factories, together with their workers, were shifted to Russia

Did war reparations have a decisive role in the recovery of the Soviet economy ?

No

What were two internal reasons why the Soviet economy was able to recover by 1950?

Central planning and the committed efforts of the Soviet people

What was long-term economic growth like post-war in the USSR compared to Europe?

The long-term growth trends in the USSR were slower than in Western Europe

What indicates that post-war recovery was better after the GPW than it was after WWI/Civil War?

There was improved production of consumer goods and better growth in living standards. By 1950, average Soviet incomes had climbed back up to the 1938 levels, indicating relatively rapid recovery

How did military spending continue to hamper the Soviet economic development in the decades following the GPW?

Military expenditure remained a significant proportion of total expenditure given the intensification of the Cold War.

By how much did military spending increase between 1950 and 1952 alone?

Rose to be 25% of total expenditure

What is an example of a social/economic issue that persisted in post-war years?

An acute housing shortage

Given the problems still facing the Soviet economy, what were people calling for by 1953?

Reforms to the economy

How many collective farms were ruined during the war?

Almost 100,000

How many horses/sheep were killed during the war?

7 million/27 million

How many tractors were destroyed during the war?

Almost 150,000

Post-war, what was food production like compared to 1940 levels?

It was 60% of 1940 levels

What social factor limited agricultural recovery post-war?

severe labour shortage

What geographical factor limited agricultural recovery post-war?

Less land was under cultivation than before the war - 75% of what it was before.,

What weather factor limited agricultural recovery post-war?

1946 was the driest year since the 19th century, causing a famine in certain regions

How can agricultural recovery be described post-war?

There was a recovery in agriculture, but it was slow and patchy

What was agriculture like under the 4th5YP in terms of targets?

There were some increases in agricultural outputs but most agricultural targets were not met

What is one MAJOR sign that there was agricultural improvement, something that has plagued Russia… forever?

There were no more famines after 1947

What hindered movement towards new ideas and change in agriculture?

Stalin published a book called Economic Problems of Socialism in the USSR in 1952 and few wanted to go against this by proposing new ideas

What was grain production like by 1950?

It was still 15% lower than pre-war levels

What are 2 examples of agricultural outputs/things that had improved in 1950 compared to pre-war levels?

Potatoes, cotton

What can be said about post-war economic recovery overall?

Post-war economic reconstruction by 1953 was more successful than might have been expected amid the ruins of 1945

What are 4 examples of things that the USSR took from East Germany?

Industrial machinery, coal, steel and ships

Between 1945-53, roughly how much worth of reparations were taken from East Germany?

About £8 billion

How did the USSR further benefit off of East Germany in terms of trade?

They forced East Germany to produce goods that were then exported to the USSR at low price

What was Stalin’s response to the offer of Martial Aid and why?

He refused it and pressured other Eastern European countries to do the same. He saw it as a way for the USA to extend its influence and it was actually a way of preventing European countries from turning to communism

What were the workers told in terms of grain post-war?

To hand over more grain than was technically outlined in their quotas