TOPIC 9 - The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe 1924-2000
Stalin (1924 - 1953)
This section deals with the consolidation of the Soviet state from 1924 and the methods applied to ensure its survival, growth and expansion inside and outside the borders of the Soviet Union. The rise and nature of the rule of Stalin will be analyzed, particularly the following areas:
- His power struggle(s)
- The Collectivization and industrialization of Russia
- Five Year Plans
- Constitution of Soviet Russia
- Purges
- Cult of personality
- Impact on society
- Stalin's foreign relations to 1941
The Collectivization and Industrialization of Russia
At the end of the 1920s, Stalin launched radical economic policies that literally changed the face of Russia, creating a new industrial and agricultural landscape. In Russia, this was called the "Great Turn". Historians have talked about a second revolution (1917 being the first) and a "revolution from above" since it was instigated by Stalin and the Communist leadership. The NEP (New Economic Policy) was cast aside and Stalin introduced Five-Year Plans for industry and agriculture. This section will be divided into three sections. First, we will examine the reason for the "Great Turn". Secondly, we will look at the collectivization of Soviet agriculture. Lastly, we will study Stalin's programme for rapid industrialization and his Five-Year Plans.
At the end of the 1920s, Stalin launched radical economic policies that literally changed the face of Russia, creating a new industrial and agricultural landscape. In Russia, this was called the "Great Turn". Historians have talked about a second revolution (1917 being the first) and a "revolution from above" since it was instigated by Stalin and the Communist leadership. The NEP (New Economic Policy) was cast aside and Stalin introduced Five-Year Plans for industry and agriculture. This section will be divided into three sections. First, we will examine the reason for the "Great Turn". Secondly, we will look at the collectivization of Soviet agriculture. Lastly, we will study Stalin's programme for rapid industrialization and his Five-Year Plans.
Task 1: The Great Turn
By 1927, Russia’s economic situation was well behind that of the West. Stalin’s main aim was to transform it into a powerful industrial nation. This section will look at Russia's current economic program (NEP) and the motivation behind Stalin's economic plans.
Instructions
1. Read the scanned text "Corin & Fiehn - 152-157.pdf".
2. This task has four sections to complete.
3. Section 1a – answer the question.
4. Section 1b – complete the table.
5. Section 1c – fill in the chart.
6. Section 1d – Draw up a large spider-diagram (see example) addressing the following issue: Why did Stalin and the Communist Party opted for the Five-Year Plans?
By 1927, Russia’s economic situation was well behind that of the West. Stalin’s main aim was to transform it into a powerful industrial nation. This section will look at Russia's current economic program (NEP) and the motivation behind Stalin's economic plans.
Instructions
1. Read the scanned text "Corin & Fiehn - 152-157.pdf".
2. This task has four sections to complete.
3. Section 1a – answer the question.
4. Section 1b – complete the table.
5. Section 1c – fill in the chart.
6. Section 1d – Draw up a large spider-diagram (see example) addressing the following issue: Why did Stalin and the Communist Party opted for the Five-Year Plans?
Section 1a - Answer the following question:
What were the driving forces behind Stalin’s economic policies?
Section 1b - Complete the table:
What were the driving forces behind Stalin’s economic policies?
Section 1b - Complete the table:
Section 1c - Fill in the chart with arguments FOR and AGAINST NEP
Section 1d - Draw up a large spider-diagram (see example) addressing the following issue: Why did Stalin and the Communist Party opted for the Five-Year Plans?
Task 2: Collectivization
"Telegrams are pouring in from numerous parts of the Soviet Union with the news that deeds of arson and murders of active Communists are being perpetrated by the Kulaks… Soviet farms, village libraries and Soviet bureaus have been burned down by the Kulaks in their fierce opposition against all measures undertaken by our Communist Party and our Soviet Government… Murderous attacks have been perpetrated against Communist village school teachers and social workers, women as well as men… Seven murders and four attempted murders took place in public assemblies or in Soviet bureaus. The roll of our Communist dead contains the names of four Chairmen of local Soviets and one Secretary… A destructive blow at the Kulaks must be delivered immediately!"
Izvestia, November 1928
"Telegrams are pouring in from numerous parts of the Soviet Union with the news that deeds of arson and murders of active Communists are being perpetrated by the Kulaks… Soviet farms, village libraries and Soviet bureaus have been burned down by the Kulaks in their fierce opposition against all measures undertaken by our Communist Party and our Soviet Government… Murderous attacks have been perpetrated against Communist village school teachers and social workers, women as well as men… Seven murders and four attempted murders took place in public assemblies or in Soviet bureaus. The roll of our Communist dead contains the names of four Chairmen of local Soviets and one Secretary… A destructive blow at the Kulaks must be delivered immediately!"
Izvestia, November 1928
What is “Collectivization”?
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Guiding Questions:
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Instructions:
- Read the scanned texts "Corin & Fiehn - 158-172.pdf" and "Fiehn - 95-104.pdf"
- This task has 3 sections to complete.
Corin & Fiehn: 158-172
Fiehn: 95-104
Section 2: How was "Collectivization" carried out?
- Provide a detailed explanation, using the sources provided, how "Collectivization" was carried out.
- Provide a detailed explanation how a "collective" farm works.
Section 3: What were the Effects of the "Collectivization"?
- Prepare a table (see diagram below) illustrating the successes and failures of Collectivization.
- Feel free to add diagrams, statistical information or table and real life pictures about the effects of Collectivization.
Task 3: Five Year Plans
Stalin and the Communist Party believed that the way to develop industry and run the economy was through state planning. The state would determine not only what should be produced, but also how, when and where it would be produced. It also determined prices and wages. To organize this sort of planning, the idea of Five-Year Plans was adopted. The detailed planning of the economy was carried out by Gosplan, the state planning agency.
Stalin and the Communist Party believed that the way to develop industry and run the economy was through state planning. The state would determine not only what should be produced, but also how, when and where it would be produced. It also determined prices and wages. To organize this sort of planning, the idea of Five-Year Plans was adopted. The detailed planning of the economy was carried out by Gosplan, the state planning agency.
Section 1: What are the Five-Year Plans and How are they Organized?
Read the following scanned text "Corin & Fiehn - 173-183.pdf" and answer the following questions:
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4. Read pages 179-183, collect evidence about the planning system and its effectiveness and record it in a table like the one shown below.
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Section 2: Working Conditions
Instructions:
- Read the following scanned text "Corin & Fiehn - 184-193.pdf" and do the following tasks below:
Mark Scheme
Additional Resources
Exam Questions
Paper 3 Questions
Paper 3 Questions
- Analyse the causes and results of economic problems in one European country between 1919 and 1939. (May 2009)
- Compare and contrast the repressive policies of Hitler and Stalin. (May 2009)