Stalin's Industrialization: Assessing Success
TITLE
Analyse the extent to which Stalin’s industrialisation policies were successful.
ESSAY
Stalin’s industrialisation policies were largely successful in transforming the Soviet Union into a modern industrial economy. The aims of Stalin’s attempts to industrialise were primarily driven by the need to increase the country’s military strength and ensure the security of the socialist state. Stalin believed that the Soviet Union was far behind the advanced western countries and failure to catch up would result in the country being crushed.
One of the key successes of Stalin’s industrialisation policies was the transformation of heavy industry. Coal production increased from 60 million tons in 1930 to 150 million tons in 1940, while steel production rose from 5 million tons to 18 million tons in the same period. Oil production also saw significant growth. Additionally, electricity production increased by over 400% in just a decade. These achievements demonstrated the successful development of a modern economy.
However, there were also notable failures in Stalin’s industrialisation efforts. The economy became imbalanced, with consumer goods being neglected in favor of heavy industry. This resulted in poor living conditions for the population, with overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions. The impact on living standards was particularly severe during the first Five Year Plan, when consumer goods were limited and food was rationed.
Furthermore, modern techniques were not always employed, and resources were often squandered on projects such as the White Sea Canal. Despite the increase in the size and influence of the urban working class, the rapid turnover of workers led to the introduction of wage differentials and privileges, limiting the extent of equality in society. This contradicted Stalin’s aim to establish a more socialist and proletarian society.
Nevertheless, the successful economic transformation of the Soviet Union allowed Stalin to solidify his authority and position himself as a worthy successor to Lenin. The creation of a command economy, alongside repression, enhanced both state and Stalin’s personal control.
In conclusion, Stalin’s industrialisation policies were largely successful in transforming the Soviet Union into a modern industrial economy. The achievements in heavy industry laid the foundations for the country’s survival in World War II. However, there were notable failures in terms of living standards and the neglect of consumer goods. The industrialisation drive also had implications for social equality and the establishment of a socialist society. Overall, while Stalin’s industrialisation policies achieved significant economic growth, they also had negative consequences for the population.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
A Level
NOTES
Analyse the extent to which Stalin’s industrialisation policies were successful. Some consideration of the aims of Stalin’s attempts to industrialise the Soviet Union would be helpful in assessing success. Responses might consider a range of different influences, both practical and ideological, behind Stalin’s drive for modernisation. Stalin wanted to increase the Soviet Union’s military strength to provide security for the world’s only socialist state, surrounded by enemies. Stalin talked of the Soviet Union being fifty to a hundred years behind the advanced western countries and failure to catch up would lead the Soviet Union to being ‘crushed’. Industrialisation was successful in transforming heavy industry and would ultimately lay the foundations for the survival of the Soviet Union in World War II. The goal to increase self-sufficiency was linked to the search for security. There was a huge expansion of economic output. Coal production increased from 60 million tons in 1930 to 150 million in 1940. Steel production went up from 5 million tons to 18 million tons in the same period. Oil production also increased significantly. Production of electricity rose by over 400% in the decade. These were genuine achievements of a modern economy. However, there were failures. The economy was badly imbalanced and consumer goods were neglected throughout. Modern techniques were not always employed, and resources were squandered, for examples on projects such as the White Sea Canal. Stalin also aimed to move towards a more socialist and proletarian society, increasing the size and influence of the urban working class. He also wanted to establish his own authority and personal prestige. It can be argued that despite the huge increase in the size of the proletariat, the creation of the so-called ‘quicksand society’ meaning the rapid turnover of workers, led to the introduction of wage differentials, bonuses and other privileges, which limited to extent of equality to be expected in such a society. The creation of a command economy would, alongside repression, enhance both state, and Stalin’s own personal, control. The successful economic transformation of the Soviet Union allowed Stalin to position himself as an equal and worthy successor to Lenin. The obvious failure of the industrialisation programme was in its impact on living standards. This was the particularly the case during the first Five Year Plan, when consumer goods were very limited, and food was rationed. Living conditions were often terrible – overcrowded and unhygienic. Some attention might be paid to improved opportunities for women, although they were usually less well-paid, likely to be promoted and often juggled work with family responsibilities.