LO: To identify the reasons why the USSR needed to industrialise and Stalin’s main

aims for industry

In 1928 , the USSR, was still a poor, backward country, producing fewer industrial goods than

many smaller countries. Stalin aimed to transform it into a modern , powerful industrial

nation through rapid industrialisation.

‘We are going full steam ahead along the road of

industrialisation to socialism, leaving behind our century-old

Russian backwardness. We are becoming a metallic country, an automotive

country, a tractor country.’

Causes of Industrialisatio

n

50-100 Years Behind the West Destroy the NEP and Kulaks

Increase Stalin’s control

Socialism in One Country

Modernise agriculture

Create Industrial Workers Show Communism Worked

Stalin 1931

‘We are 50 or a 100 years behind the advanced

countries. We must make good this distance in 10 years. Either we do it, or

we shall be crushed. (1931)

The USSR needed to catch up with the Western world and make Russia less dependant on the West for industrial

goods.

To have a strong industry capable of producing armaments so that Russia could defend itself from attack.

We must smash the kulaks…. We must strike at the kulaks so hard as to prevent them rising

to their feet

The NEP had allowed small businesses with up to 25 workers to develop. Theses workers were able to pay taxes and make profits, rather than hand over produce to the state. Un-communist.

The kulaks (rich peasants) were opposed to handing over their wealth to the state. Stalin

also knew that they were a class that owed him no allegiance; they were, therefore,

beyond his control. Their allegiance was with Lenin.

Stalin’s plans for industry was also an opportunity to increase his controlover the USSR .

By exaggerating the threats to the Soviet Union from the West, he was able to enforce regulations, whichWould have been unacceptable in other circumstances. By 1934, theSoviet people had lost many basic rights, including the freedom to change jobs and to move around the country.

Agriculture also was severely in need of modernisation. The peasants who farmed the land were still using centuries old techniques that were inefficient and were not cost effective. Production levels were low considering the size and scale of Russia’s agricultural lands.

Industry was therefore Needed to provide the machinery, especially tractors to mechanise farming and produce more food.

By producing more food, some it could be sold abroad and thus fund industry with in Russia.

Stalin wanted industrial Workers that could make weapons and industrial goods to protect Russia. He also wanted to provide himself with more support.

Stalin hoped that with a successful economy he could show the world

that Communism worked. He believed workers of other countries would try and turn to Communism,

with the Russian model as their example.

Successes Failures

People went willingly to work to build a new society. Coal production increased from 35 to 150 million tonnes between 1927-1940. Steel production increased from 3 to 18 million tonnes between 1927-1940. Electricity production increased from 18 to 90 million tonnes between 1927-1940. Become second largest industrial power behind USA. Between 1929-1937 investment in education. New elite of scientists, teachers and engineers emerged. Crèches provided for working women. Children of workers received free primary education and healthcare.

Living standards did not increase and strikes were not allowed. Stakhanovite campaign dropped as employees were being beaten up and killed. Managers gave false production figures because the targets were too ambitious. Quality a problem. Half tractors for collective farms broke down. Millions died as a result of Stalin’s policies. Value of wages fell. Social problems increased. Informers were encouraged. 55 engineers working in Shakhty coal mines put on trial for sabotaging equipment. 5 were shot despite their innocence.