USSR
transformed
into a
modern
industrial
state. Now a
superpower.
Russian GDP
doubled
between
1929 and
1941
USSR became became
better able to exploit
its natural resources
and was spared the
worst effects of the
Depression of the
1930s
Heavy industry
expanded &
URBAN
POPULATION
DOUBLED
Workers conditions &
wages failed to improve
by 1941 despite the
claims made by Stalinist
Propaganda.
Positive consequences for party & state.
Negative consequences for
people(peasants & proletariat).
USSR now able
to withstand a
Nazi attack
Aims
Had political connotations.
Survival of the revolution.
Needed the proletariat to
increase in size whilst the
peasantry reduced.
Economic- needed to feed &
supply the workers. NEP had
failed- failure of grain
harvest in 1927/28
Military- fear of
invasion. War scare
in 1927- massacre of
Chinese
communists/
assassination of
Soviet ambassador
to Poland. Needed a
stronger industrial
base to survive a
future attack from
capitalist powers.
Modernise the nation.
USSR 50 to 100 yrs
behind the rest of the
world. Industrialisation
viewed as central to the
survival of the USSR.
Removal of
capitalists who had
thrived under the
NEP. Liquidation of
NEPmen and Kulaks
Personal- to
strengthen his
position in the
party by removal
of rightists who
supported NEP.
Features
GOSPLAN- state
planning agency- set
up to create &
manage targets.