The Industrialization of the Ussr

Chapter 3: The industrialization of the USSR

1. What was the case for rapid industrialization?

Marxists believed that the revolutionary transformation of society would only come through industrialization. An increase in the number of workers within the USSR was crucial because the majority were peasants. The government required support from the workers who were dissatisfied with the backwards nature of the USSR. The USSR had no hope of resisting an attack made by neighboring anti-communist nations and governments due to their isolation and lack of modern equipment.

1. What problems did the state faced in implementing its plans?

Expensive machinery were available but unused, this led to a large amount of waste. Assembly lines were inefficiently used, and equipment such as nails and bricks were not being produced. There was a shortage of necessary livestock; these animals were required to pull carts and wagons. Uneducated and unskilled workers from the countryside caused industrial accidents and the breakage of machinery. New workers were not familiar with the discipline required in modern industries. Penalties such as prison, a 25% cut of pay for six months, internal passports, and death were introduced.

1. Were the Five-Year-Plans a success or a failure?

The Five-Year-Plans were successful up to a certain extent. 1,500 huge power stations, factories and metalworking buildings were built, and the number of workers doubled between the years 1928 to 1932. Industries were created in areas that had not previously been industrialized. The enthusiasms of the citizens were harnessed, and workers were motivated. At first the state falsified statistics and production figures, because worker production was low and disappointing. This led to more reasonable targets, and error revision.  

Notes

Rapid Industrialization:

• To end divisions over the NEP
• Wanted to be modern and industrialized and competitive
• Fear of war
• To defeat Bukharin
• To show contrast with the West
• Paid for by collectivization

Problems with Implementation:

• Waste inefficiency- not well planned
• Shortage of trained workers- breakage & accidents & injuries  
• Lack of worker discipline– lateness 7 absenteeism heavily punished
• 1928-1932– focused on heavy industry, the “commanding heights:, coal, iron, steel, engineering, and infrastructure development. 2,500 power stations built.
• 1933-1937- focused on production of goods, resources
• 1938-1941- focused on wartime production, cute short by Hitler’s invasion/WWII

Successes:

• Motivated citizens (Stakhanovites movement: crazy overproduction)
• Increase in industries (steel, autos, aircrafts, rubber, machines, tools)
• Increase in railways- trains, # of workers
• Industry expanded throughout the country ( especially Est of the Ural Mountains)
• More workers rights
• Economic growth
• Stalin learned from his mistakes w/ the 1st 5 year plans & implementation improved over time.

 Failures

• Failed to meet production targets
• Production figures falsified to make them sound more impressive
• Worker output was low
• Oil & textile production disappointing
• Big achievements only in heavy industry
• Transport problems of goods never solved
• Quality of Soviet goods can’t compare with Western goods
• Lives lost & living conditions poor
• Consumer goods scarce
• Shortages & confusion
• Overall “Stalin’s Revolution”

The first Five Year Plan introduced in 1928, concentrated on the development of iron and steel, machine tools, electric power and transport. The Gosplan maintained it. It focused on rapid industrialization and initiated the collectivization of agriculture.

The Second Five Year Plan, Stalin expanded the goals of his previous plan and placed an emphasis on heavy industry. Aimed to advance the Soviet Union’s communication systems, especially railways