The Period of Stalin’s Rule (1924-53)
Bookmark this page

Why was Stalin able to obtain control?

• He was the link between the Party leadership and the administrative levels below (which carried out Politburo decisions)
• And used this positions to ensure the appointment of loyal supporters
• His opponents underestimated him.
• He removed his opponents one at a time w/ others and then attacked those who had been his allies.
• He was popular because he came from the peasant class.
• He represented the view ‘Socialism in one country’ as opposed to ‘continuous revolution’ and this had a greater appeal.
• Stalin was totally unscrupulous, whereas Trotsky was loyal to certain ideals which he would not betray
• Trotsky was considered ambitious and arrogant.

Stalin’s view:

" Do you want our Socialist fatherland to be beaten and to lose its independence? If you do not want this you must put an end to this backwardness as speedily as possible and develop genuine Bolshevik speed in building up the Socialist system of economy. There are no other ways……We are fifty to a hundred years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this lag in ten years. Either we do it or they crush us."

The condition of agriculture in 1924:

• 80% of pop. in agricultural sector
• Vast majority lived in primitive conditions w/ widespread poverty
• Farming methods were not up to date
• The more productive peasants still used backward methods

Problems as a result of these:

• Peasants were conservative and Stalin saw them as holding back progress
• Industrial development could not occur w/out sufficient food prod.
• The peasant labor force was to be redirected to industrial labor, and this was impossible w/out more efficient farming
• Peasants would not allow surplus to pay for imports

Stalin’s answer was to collectivize farming (this was carried out by force) and peasants rebelled against this, and destroyed crops and animals.

The results of collectivization:

• In a very short time the bulk of the peasants were organized on collective farms
• The Gov. gained greater control over production and allocation.
• Modernization and use of machinery became possible
• Food was made available for the Five Year plans (industrialization)
• Supplies of food were ensured (even during the German invasion) and this gave the Soviets an advantage.

However:

• The immediate effect was a massive drop in production (w/ the destruction of crops and animals)
• Collectivization had an enormous human cost (as opposition was eliminated / and as a result of starvation)
• The kulaks (the most able farmers) were virtually destroyed
• It proved inefficient in the long run b/c not responsive to changes in local/regional needs
• The peasantry were heavily taxed

Stalin introduced a system of central planning w/ production determined by the Gov. and resources allocated accordingly. Each Sector of the economy was given a five year target. This was believed to eliminate waste and concentrate upon vital areas of the economy.

The first five year plan 1928-1933 (aimed to create an industrial base for further development)

• Aimed to achieve rapid expansion of coal and steel production / electrical power / transport and other ‘capital goods industries’.
• It called for 20% per annum increase, however this was not realistic / the peasants had little skill / central planning involved a vast army of then inexperienced bureaucrats.

It met w/ some success b/c:

• There was enthusiasm on the part of the work force (probably as a result of propaganda)
• Most of the required labor force was unskilled labor (which was in large supply)
• Of the complete control of the Gov. and of its allocation of resources to progress in designed areas.

Standards of living decreased as a result, but a solid industrial base was developed.

The second five year plan 1933-1938: (diversification)

• The aim was more realistic: 14% increase in prod.
• The planners had gainned more experience
• The workforce was more experienced
• Gov. control over labor increased
• Growth in certain areas was excellent (i.e.: engineering and metal working sectors)

However:

• Growth in sectors such as the consumer goods was less successful.
• Real wages did not increase
• As Hitler came to power, more and more resources were aimed at weapon production.

The third five year plan 1938-1943:

This plan was obstructed by the need to speed up armament and the 1941 German invasion.

• The goal for growth was 12%
• There were labor shortages
• New plants were built in the East
• Stalin’s purges led to disorganisation

1. Succeeded in turning the USSR into a major industrial power over a short period of time
2. In the early years there were many errors and much waste.
3. They allowed the USSR to resist the 1941 German invasion.
4. The methods used were harsh (i.e.: abolition of U. relief) although in addition to a high degree of Gov. control, there were incentives.
5. Living standards declined at first and then improved slowly.
6. A new elite was created
7. It became increasingly cumbersome as the Soviet industry’s extent and complexity increased, by 1945 there was need for reform.

The effects of the purges:

• Opposition to Stalin was removed, and this enabled him to act as a dictator until his death
• The ‘cult of personality’ around Stalin grew
• Many of the most able people of Soviet society were eliminated
• The purges had eliminated most experienced officers in the Soviet army (this encouraged Hitler’s 1941 attack)
• Millions of innocents were executed or imprisoned, denouncing of others became common.
• Initiative was thought to be dangerous and several areas of Soviet life stagnated.

Conclusion:

Abstractly Stalin was successful (the army grew in power, industry grew, etc.) but the costs imposed on the population for these improvements was enormous (purges, massacres, etc.)