Economic Impact of Stalin's Rule

To modernise farming and make it efficient

USSR was a backward country in 1928. Stalin wanted to merge small individual farms into larger collective farms (kolkhozes).

He thought that larger units of land could be farmed more efficiently

It was a total reversal of Lenin's NEP, where farmers were originally allowed to possess their own land. Under Stalin's plans, land and crops were owned by the state.

To promote equality to align with party's motto.

collectivisation invovled merging small individual farms into larger collective farms (klkhozes). as stalin believed it to be more effiecient with things like tractors.

everything. like legit everything. belonged to the state. and the state would decide what to grow.

ended ineqaulity between rich kulaks and ordinary peasants, realised communist ideals.

Impact of Collectivisation

Positive

modernised farming.

soviet farms were inefficient, production was little. and could only sustain the farmer.

concept of collectivisations to merge small indiv. famrs into larger farms, kolkhozy. ownership of farms of individual peasants (kulaks) to the state.

kolkhozes given machinery like tractors. peasants taught mordern farming methods, fertilizers, handling modern mchine, inc^ productivity. and replaced 17 mil peasants who left farms to work in industries,

production of machinery led to modernisation of farming and greater work efficacy. freed up peasants from farms to factories; provide much needed labour for industrailisations.

supported industrailisation

implemented collectivisation to increase agricultural production and feed workers in industrial towns.

kolkhozes to be run by communist party merging farms made it easier for stalin to implement state intiatives and control peasants and their production.

Negative

great famine

collectivisation failed to increase agricultural production. grain harvest drop drastically between 1931- 1934. did not recover.

between 1932-1934, severe famine resulted from poor harvest and food shortage almost 7 mil peasants died from starvation; instead of distributing stockpiled grain to staving people. stalin exported to foreign countries to raise fund to buy machinery.

great famine caused much hardship and misery to the people. many suffered from malnutrition.7 mil died.

persecution of kulaks.

When collectivisation was introduced, many kulaks defied by slaughtering their livestock 100 mil sheep and goats, 16 mil horses, and burning grains instead of them up to collective farm.

stalin had those who resisted shot or sent to gulags, >7 mil kulaks and their fam killed or deported to siberia or sent to labour camps. to be slave labour.

by 1935 almost all farms were kolkhozes; peasants who opposed were dealt with harshly. possesions taken away.

stalin's liquidation of kulaks worsened their lives - lost their wealth and property, lived in constant fear of being tortured, deported or killed

Reasons for Industrialisation

To strengthen USSR so that it could catch
up with the industrialised West

During Stalin´s rule , emphasis on development of heavy industries like electricity , iron and steel-high production targets were set for various industries

Industrial workforce expanded and many industrialised cities like Magnitogorsk set up.

Development of heavy industries enabled USSR to develop own industrial base for arms production and build up military strength

Producing key resources , strengthening industrial capacity and defence industry , rapid industrialisation would strengthen USSR.

Can close development gap
between USSR and the West.

Stalin introduced Industrialisation to make USSR stronger

So as to compete with not risk being
defeated by Western countries.

To modernise the economy

Five-Year plans were introduced by
Stalin to industrialise USSR .

Five-Year plans focused on the development
of heavy industries like iron, coal,
electricity, transport and power supply.

High targets were set for production of
farm equipment to modernise farming

Through rapid industrialisation,
Stalin wanted to produce equipment
for mechanisation of farming

So that he could free up more labour and
produce more food to support factory workers

Impact of Industrialisation

Positive

strengthened russia millitary

Economic plans focused on developing heavy industries

Stalin ensured USSR has necessary economic resources
for modern industrial war.

Many new towns and industrial cities were built in the East

A strategic location placed them beyond
the reach of Western invaders.

Ensured that the production critical
to war efforts would not easily sabotaged.

Through industrialisation, Stalin strengthened USSR military

Ensured that USSR was ready for attack
from Germany in 1941

improved workers living standards

To ensure that targets meet, Communist
governments implemented a system.

A system of rewards and incentives,
where the more a worker produced,
the more salary he earns/hard work
rewarded with medals and holiday at
a discount

strengthed russia's economically

Stalin´s policy of industrialisation strengthened Russia economically

Main aim of FYP (1928-1932) was to rapidly industrialise USSR so as to become a military and economic socialist power to rival capitalist countries.

First Five-Year plan((1928-1932) : Focused on heavy industries
Next two Five-Year Plans (1933-1937)(1938-1941): Focused on consumer goods and heavy industries.

Factories in cities produces equipment for mechanisation of farming;tractors with equipment , more moved from country to city.

By 1940, USSR overtaken UK in iron and steel production and became major industrial power.

Government started campaign to teach Russian workers new skills to tackle problems of an uneducated workforce

Attending primary school was compulsory
New schools,colleges and universities were built
Thousands of teachers,scientists and engineers were trained

By 1930s, Russian workers were able
to obtain well-paid, high-skilled jobs

Industrialisation improved living conditions over time

Production of basic good increased,
more supplies became available to people,
rationing ended in 1936.

Workers received cheap meals and free uniforms,
free education, subsidised healthcare, provision on
extensive leisure facilities like cinemas, public parks,
sports fields and gymnasiums

Negative

Worsened plight of workers (short-term)

Severe restrictions placed
on workers (Short-term)

All factory workers had to work for 7days per week.
Not allowed to move around factories during working hours.

If workers break rule , they would be sent to prison
If workers steal things from factories , they would be sentenced to death
If workers miss a single day of work , they would be fired

Bad living conditions

Industries that produced basic goods were neglected.

The shortage of food , clothes , shoes were rationed

Escalating prices due to shortages
(1928-1933)

Purchasing power of workers´ salaries fell by 50%

Caused great inconveniences and
affected standard of living

Workers suffered hardship due to the
lack of basic consumer goods .

Lives for workers were worse
than Tsarist regime

There were poverty , starvation and
suffering more prominent .