The Introduction of Stalin's First Five-Year Plan in 1928: An Analysis of Motivations
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Assess the reasons for the introduction of Stalin’s first five-year plan in 1928.
ESSAY
The introduction of Stalin’s first five-year plan in 1928 was a significant shift in Soviet economic policy with a range of political, economic, and ideological motivations behind it.
One of the key reasons for the introduction of the first five-year plan was the failure of the New Economic Policy (NEP) by 1927. The NEP, implemented after the Civil War, allowed for a mixed economy and some private enterprise. However, by the late 1920s, it was clear that the NEP was not achieving the rapid industrialization and modernization that Stalin desired. The need for a more centralized and controlled economic system became evident, leading to the shift towards the five-year plan.
Another important factor was the power struggle within the Communist Party. Stalin had successfully eliminated most of his rivals, but Bukharin remained as a potential threat due to his support for a more gradual approach to industrialization and his advocacy for the continuation of the NEP. By introducing the five-year plan, Stalin was able to consolidate his control over the party and dictate economic policy, further solidifying his position as the undisputed leader of the Soviet Union.
Ideologically, Stalin sought to achieve ‘Socialism in One Country’ as opposed to the internationalist approach advocated by Trotsky. This meant developing the Soviet Union’s industrial and military capabilities to ensure self-sufficiency and protection from external threats. The five-year plan was seen as a means to accelerate the transition to socialism and move away from the mixed economy of the NEP towards a more communist system.
Additionally, fear of potential invasion and the need to strengthen the country’s defenses played a significant role in the decision to adopt the five-year plan. Building up heavy industry and a strong military was seen as crucial for the security and survival of the Soviet Union in a hostile international environment.
The first five-year plan involved the forced collectivization of agriculture to support industrial growth, which led to widespread resistance and hardship among the peasantry. On the industrial side, there was a focus on developing heavy industry such as iron, steel, and coal to build up the country’s economic strength. The plan also involved unleashing a class war against perceived enemies of the state, including the liquidation of the Kulaks and the removal of private traders known as NEPMEN.
Overall, the introduction of Stalin’s first five-year plan in 1928 was driven by a combination of political, economic, and ideological factors. While the plan aimed to achieve rapid industrialization and modernization, it also resulted in significant social and economic disruption. The assessment and evaluation of these motives provide valuable insights into the complex nature of Soviet economic policies under Stalin's leadership.
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Assess the reasons for the introduction of Stalin’s first five-year plan in 1928.
This question requires a careful examination and analysis of the causes and then an evaluation of them. Causes might include the failure of the New Economic Policy by 1927, the need to remove his final rival in the power struggle, Bukharin, the need to assert his control over the Communist Party and dictate policy, the aim to achieve ‘Socialism in One Country’ and the ideological desire to turn the Soviet Union more towards communism than the mixed economy of the New Economic Policy had allowed. Fear of invasion also played a part in the change of direction.
Prior to 1928, the Soviet Union had followed a policy of War Communism to win the Civil War and then took a step backwards and adopted the New Economic Policy, which allowed a mixed economy and was a temporary measure. However, by 1927 the New Economic Policy was failing, and Stalin had eliminated all leadership rivals apart from Bukharin. There were political and economic motives for the change of economic policy.
The first five-year plan was to build ‘socialism in one country’. This meant building up the industrial base of the country and its military might and in addition move towards real socialism and away from the mixed economy. The first five-year plan introduced Collectivisation to make sure that agriculture supported industry and any peasant resistance was overcome. This policy was largely disastrous.
On the Industrial side, there was a focus on heavy industry, including iron, steel, and coal to build up the economic strength of the country. The first five-year plan also allowed class war to be unleashed, the liquidation of the Kulaks to begin and the removal of the NEPMEN.
This essay needs to examine the political, economic, and ideological motives for the introduction of the first five-year plan and to assess and evaluate them in a logical and sustained manner.