DEPTH STUDIES: To what extent were the economic and social reforms made by Khrushchev a failure? Flashcards
(4 cards)
1
Q
What is the commonly held view for the reason that Khrushchev was unable to successfully implement his policies?
A
- Radical changes were unsuccessful due to a lack of cooperation from senior Communist Party officials and bureaucrats.
2
Q
Evidence that Khrushchev’s schemes for reforms were poorly planned out:
A
- Reforms like Virgin Land were well intended but badly planned - grain production initially increased substantially, but then tailed off due to the poor quality of land used.
- Highly bureaucratic nature of Russian government made it difficult for reforms to be implemented quickly.
- Khrushchev fails to consider that Communist party members may have felt threatened by the reforms he was trying to make.
- Reforms were not backwards enough to cope with the challenges left behind by Stalins government.
3
Q
Argument that the Virgin Land scheme was in fact not poorly planned out:
A
- It was only in 1963 where there was a significant fall in grain production - mainly the result of bad weather.
- Weaknesses of the Virgin Land campaign therefore have been exaggerated.
4
Q
Evidence that Khrushchev did improve living conditions :
A
- Focus on promoting light industries (those for consumer products) was successful.
- 1955 to 1966, the number of washing machines per thousand of the population increased from 1 to 77.
