This bullet-pointed and in-depth summary gives insight into the Cold War in all aspects. A worthwhile resource, especially when needing to glean all necessary info to do well in exams and tests
• In 1927 Stalin’s advisers told him that with the modernisation of farming, the
Soviet Union would require an extra 250 000 tractors
• There was also a need to develop the oil fields to provide the necessary petrol
to drive the machines
• Power stations also had to be built to supply the farms with electricity
• If this was not done, Russia’s economy — both and agriculture — could not
grow
• Since the October Revolution, industrial progress had
been slow
• It wasn’t until 1927 that production had reached the
levels achieved before the start of WW1
• Stalin decided that he would use his control over the
country to address the lack of development
• Stalin created the five year plans in order to catch up
with the rest of the industrialised world
• Introduced in 1928, the First Five year plans began
• Stalin attempted to make the USSR self-sufficient by
a state takeover of all firms and businesses
First Five Year Plan
- Concentrated on the development of:
- Iron and steel
- Machine-tools
- Electric power
- Transport
- Stalin set the workers high targets:
- 111% increase in coal production
- 200% increase in iron production
- 335% increase in electric power
• Each business or factory was required to meet a
quota through a system called Collectivisation
• Every factory had large display boards erected that
showed the output of workers
• Those that failed to reach the required targets were publicly criticised and
humiliated
Page 1 of 25
, Grade 12 History Syllabus
Chloe van Beukering
• Records were kept of workers’ lateness, absenteeism and bad workmanship
• If the worker’s record was poor, he was accused of trying to sabotage the Five
Year Plan and if found guilty could be shot or sent to work as forced labour
• During the first five year plan dams, railroad, canals, mines and factories were
built, most using prison labour
• Economical, as the prisoners had no choice
• If prison workers ever ran out, Stalin could
always go and arrest more people in order
to expedite the construction
• Many targets which the workers had to
meet were unrealistic:
• 250% increase in total industrial output
• 350% increase in heavy industries
• Many workers had to work 11 hours a day
• None revolted, as they knew their wages
were paid in food rations, which meant they would not eat if they didn’t work
• Propaganda was used
• Brochures, pamphlets and posters were distributed all
over to boost the people’s morale
• Economically, there is no denying the fact that it was a
success
• The plan was achieved in 4 years, not 5 as scheduled
• Huge expansion of energy production
• roads, railways and canals were constructed
• But, The First Five Year Plan didn’t occur without a
tremendous cost to the Soviet people
• To meet the goals of Stalin’s plans, the workweek was
changed from 5 days to 7 days
• Little or no time was permitted for workers to be away from their jobs
• To prevent workers from moving jobs, the secret police introduced internal
passport for the country
• Although most people dint agree with plans, young communist workers helped
drive the plans forward
• “Shock Brigades” attempted to drive production ahead by competing with
each other, setting examples, spying on colleagues and pressuring managers
• These workers received better food, housing and even special medals for
their efforts
Second Five Year Plan
Page 2 of 25
, Grade 12 History Syllabus
Chloe van Beukering
• Because of the ‘success’ of the first plan, the government went ahead with the
Second Five Year Plan in 1932
• The Second Five Year Plan gave heavy industry top priority and attempted to
improve the quality of consumer goods produced
• By 1933 the altered international position of the USSR resulting from Hitler’s
seizure of power was reflected in a rapid expansion of armament production
• The armed forces were gradually reshaped into an increasingly professional,
modern fighting machine, comparable to those of other great powers
• Between 1933 and 1936, the size of the Red Army tripled, from 562 000 to 1.5
million
• As a result the focus on improving quality of consumer goods fell by the wayside
• The second plan employed incentives as well as punishments and the targets
were eased a reward for the first plans being finished ahead of schedule in only 4
years
• Women were encouraged to participate in the plan as childcare was offered to
mothers so they could go to war and not need to worry about their children
• As was the case with the first 5 year plan, the second was no uniformly
successful, failing to reach the recommended production levels in such crucial
areas as coal and oil
- The Second Five Year Plan also
achieved some spectacular successes:
- The production of coal, steel,
electricity more than doubled again
- By 1937 the USSR only imported
10% of machinery compared to 80%
during the First Five Year Plan
- New railway lines were constructed
and single tracks doubled
- Air services were extended to remote
parts of the country
- Huge water-transport projects were
completed to allow Moscow access to
the sea
However…
• Growth in sectors such as consumer goods was less successful
• Real wages didn’t increase
• At Hitler came to power, more and more resources were aimed at weapon
production
Page 3 of 25
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