Question

Discuss the impact of Stalins five year plan on the soviet economy and the russian people

Answer 1

Stalin's Five-Year Plan radically transformed the Soviet economy with significant industrial growth but caused mass starvation and suffering due to forced collectivization and unrealistic production quotas.

Step-by-step explanation:

Impact of Stalin's First Five-Year Plan

The impact of Stalin's Five-Year Plan on the Soviet economy was considerable. Starting in 1928, the plan aimed to transform the economy from primarily agrarian to a leading industrial powerhouse. To accomplish this, it focused heavily on the rapid expansion of heavy industry and collectivization of agriculture.

The plan's execution led to the development of industry-specific cities, a dramatic increase in iron and steel production, and the construction of new electrical power stations. As a result, industrial capacity rose by about 50 percent. However, this came at a high cost; the unrealistic production quotas set under the plan resulted in the deaths of thousands and did not coincide with the actual state of agriculture or the well-being of workers. Despite the suffering, the Five-Year Plan achieved near parity with western nations in industrial capacity.

A tragic consequence of the plan was the forced collectivization which led to mass starvation, notably the Holodomor in Ukraine, with nearly three million Ukrainians perishing. This famine was a direct result of resistance to losing land and livestock and punitive measures by the state against peasants. Yet, internationally, Stalin proclaimed the plan a success, hiding the devastating human costs.

In terms of social effects, full employment and economic growth contrasted sharply with the widespread unemployment and depression in the West during the early 1930s. This perceived success led to the appeal of communism in economically struggling democracies. However, within the Soviet Union, the situation was dire, as many people suffered from poverty, repression, and the destruction of a way of life.

Answer 2

Stalin's Five-Year Plan, implemented between 1928 and 1932, sought to rapidly industrialize the Soviet Union and increase its economic power in order to compete with the industrialized nations of the West. This had a considerable effect on the Soviet economy and the Russian people. In regards to the economy, the plan was successful in significantly escalating industrial production, with the country becoming one of the world's leading industrial powers.

However, this came at a price, as other sectors such as agriculture and consumer goods were neglected, leading to food shortages and a decrease in living standards for numerous individuals in the Soviet Union. Additionally, industrialization was attained at the expense of workers' rights and conditions of living.

Regarding the Russian people, the plan was accompanied by a huge propaganda campaign with the intention of creating a new Soviet citizen devoted to hard work and loyalty to the state, and a variety of methods were used to motivate people to work harder. Social changes were also seen, with women being inspired to enter the workforce and the government investing in new schools and hospitals. Nevertheless, repression and control were also implemented to limit freedom of expression. In conclusion, Stalin's Five-Year Plan had a considerable impact on the Soviet economy and the Russian people.