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Stalinist Russia

The Five Year Plans

In Today’s Class

● Today we will learn about Stalin’s economic policy of the Five Year Plans.

● We will discuss the first 3 plans, and the results of these plans.

The Five Year Plans● The Five Year Plans were

introduced by Stalin in 1928 to industrialise Russia as quickly as possible.

● They replaced Lenin’s NEP.● The State now controlled all

aspects of the economy.

Marx vs. StalinKarl Marx● Marx envisioned

a socialist state that would be led by the workers.

● Worker would run the factories.

Joseph Stalin● Stalin created a state

that was run by the elite members of the Communist Party.

● Government officials made all the decisions about the economy.

The 1st Five Year Plan (1928-1932)● Production targets were

set in manufacturing, transport and raw materials.

● It concentrated on heavy industry, i.e. coal, iron, gas and electricity.

Results of the 1st Five Year Plan● Machinery production increased by 4 times

the 1927 level.● Oil production doubled.● Electricity trebled.● New towns were constructed.● Focus on quantity over quality led to faulty or

poor quality production.

Results of the 1st Five Year Plan

The 2nd and 3rd Plans (1933-1941)● 2nd Plan - Focus on two areas of production:

Metal production and transport (1933-38)● Initially the plan was in danger of failing so

creches were introduced so that mothers could join the Soviet workforce.

● 3rd Plan - Focus on Arms production (1938-1941).

Results of the 2nd and 3rd Plans

● Russia became a major steel producer and matched Germany for steel production.

● Production of industrial goods trebled.● The urban population trebled between 1928

and 1938.● There was no economic depression and

almost full employment.● Illiteracy was almost wiped out.

"We are the Realisation of the Plan (1933)

“With shock labor we will ensure prompt delivery of the Five Year Plan”

“Stop and punish harshly the lovers of the unearned rouble!”

In Conclusion

● The Five Year Plans rapidly modernized Russian industry. But often the good produced were of low quality.

● But consumer goods (houses, clothes, appliances etc.) were neglected and quality of life remained poor.