How far do you agree that the Soviet economy was transformed in the years
1928-1953?
It was transformed, however it was still labour intensive, inefficient + produced lower quality goods
It was
It wasn't
transformed into an industrialised, collectivised state
from what? a virtually peasant society with limited industry
Prev. NEP
Industry
FYPs, first 3, focus on heavy industry. successful
Magnitogorsk
went from double digits to the hundred thousands in population
Public works: the Dnieper dam, hydroelectric. Inc. in electricity
During 2nd FYP, electricity x10, coal + steel x5
Emphasis on heavy industry--- Four in Five
Agriculture
Collectivisation
Mechanisation
Failed to change aspects of old economy such as low labour productivity + inefficiency
extremely successful, able to enter into war in 1941 and win. 3rd FYP focus on military
private farms produce around 100 kg per hectare more than collectives
by 1950, economy was the fastest growing in the world + 90% of economic investment= devoted to developing heavy industry
Consumer goods remained scarce + light industry had less than 12% of investment in light industry in later years of Stalin's rule
1949, 1st Atomic Bomb
Economic growth did not lead to a better standard of living for most citizens
75,000 tractors provided + had limited effect
Ownership taken over by state. Unpopular, but a transformation from previous private ownership.
Grain prod went down but procurements doubled + exports rose