Russia 1.2

Question 1

What was the state of the economy when the Bolsheviks came to power?

Answer 1

unsophisticated and backward economy - not industrialised - and shattered by WW1

Question 2

What did Lenin believe about a Socialist economy?

Answer 2

A socialist economy would be highly efficient with highly disciplined workers who found fulfilment in their work and so needed no time for leisure - reflected in his economic policies.

Question 3

What key measures did the Bolsheviks introduce when coming to power?

Answer 3

The Land Decree 1917 - land reform which abolished private ownership of land - church and aristocratic land broken up and peasants could own the land which they worked - popular with peasants.
Decree on Workers’ Control Nov 1917 - placed control of factories into the hands of the workers.
27 Dec - all private banks nationalised, along with the State Bank being amalgamated into the People’s Bank of the Russian Republic.

Question 4

Why was giving power to the workers and peasants detrimental to the economy?

Answer 4

Workers’ councils gave themselves pay rises - little improvement in production + led to inflation. Managers and those with technical expertise were dismissed (sometimes violently) by workers (revenge).

Question 5

Why was Vesenkha introduced?

Answer 5

The Bolsheviks realised further state control was needed. Vesenkha would ensure factories were properly managed (controlled by well-paid specialists) and would coordinate economic production.

Question 6

Why was State Capitalism unpopular?

Answer 6

In many ways there was little difference between state capitalism and life before revolution.

Question 7

Why was War Communism introduced?

Answer 7

To ensure the Red Army was supplied with enough food and resources to emerge victorious.
It also enabled some aspects of communist ideology - abolishment of private enterprise and capitalism.

Question 8

What were components of War Communism?

Answer 8

Nationalisation of industry without compensation.
Reintroduction of hierarchical structures in industry.
Labour Discipline : working day extended to eleven hours (1918), work made compulsory for all able-bodied aged between 16 and 50 - the unemployed were forced to join ‘Labour armies’ set up to work on projects (e.g. road building and woodland clearance). Death penalty introduced for workers who went on strike and all workers expected to volunteer (unpaid) on ‘Communist Saturdays’ - days designated for service to the Party.
All Private trading and money was banned.
Forced requisitioning.
Rationing.

Question 9

How many Bolshevik volunteers were used to seize grain?

Answer 9

150,000

Question 10

(Consequences of War Communism)
Economic collapse - Stats?

Answer 10

grain requisitioning led to lower rates of agricultural production as unpaid peasants had no incentive to work. Industrial production declined significantly - few incentives to work hard and hungry workers left cities to work on farms - higher chance of being fed. 3 million workers (1917) to 1.2 million (1922). Agricultural production at 60% of 1913 level in 1920 and Industrial production at 21% of the 1913 level in 1920.

Question 11

(Consequences of War Communism)
Growth of the Black market - Stats?

Answer 11

60% of food consumed came through black markets

Question 12

(Consequences of War Communism)
Mass Poverty and famine - Stats?

Answer 12

By 1921 there were shortages of all kinds of commodities and by late 1920 workshops in cities were closing because of a lack of fuel - fuel in such short supply that the government ordered wooden buildings in Petrograd to be destroyed and used for fuel. Unemployment rose and harvests declined further - 1921 only 46% of 1913 harvest - rural areas a famine began - 6 million deaths + army soldiers had to resettle to civilian life. Lack of food - in the 1920s over 20 million died from famine and disease.

Question 13

Was War Communism successful?

Answer 13

Overall war communism led to a military and ideological victory but economic ruin - Lenin believed War Communism was the foundation for a new society. Bukharin even welcomed the economic crisis - argued the destruction of capitalism needed to be complete before building socialism - senior Communists didn’t see a reason to stop the policy but the political tensions (rebellions) forced Lenin to accept an economic crisis.

Question 14

Why was the NEP introduced?

Answer 14

War Communism was abandoned because the economic and social situation led to a deteriorating Bolshevik political position after the civil war because of the failures (above) of War Communism.
Lenin needed the NEP to retain political power.

Question 15

What measures were taken in Agriculture?

Answer 15

Requisitioning replaced by a system of taxation (10% on profits) - peasants could sell food at a profit.

Question 16

What measures were taken in industry?

Answer 16

NEP returned small-scale industry (fewer than 20 people) to private industry but the state retained control of heavy industry, transport and banks.
In state-owned factories, bonuses (incentives) were used to try to raise production.

Question 17

What measures were taken in money and trading?

Answer 17

Reintroduction of a currency in 1921, for paying wages - Lenin emphasised the need for a stable currency and all factories and workshops to make a profit.
Legalisation of private trading to stop the black market and with the growth of private trading - rise in the ‘nepmen’, people who grew rich under the NEP - nepmen accounted for 75% of trade in 1922.

Question 18

Why were Left-wing Bolsheviks hostile to the NEP?

Answer 18

They saw the NEP as a retreat to capitalism but Lenin saw it as securing the revolution.

Question 19

What coincided with the introduction of the NEP?

Answer 19

The arrests of Mensheviks and all political parties (except Bolsheviks) were outlawed. Economic compromise clearly did not extend to political relaxation.

Question 20

(Consequences of the NEP)
By how much did food production increase and why?

Answer 20

End of grain requisitioning encouraged peasants to grow more food - famine ended as food production more than doubled between 1921 (37.6 mil tons) and 1926 (76 mil tons).

Question 21

(Consequences of the NEP)
Industrial growth - Statistics?

Answer 21

market stimulated production and government invested money gained from taxing peasants. Lenin authorised a major electrification campaign (GOELRO - aim to reach 8.8bn KwH of electricity up from 1.9bn (1913) achieved in 1931) which revived an industry destroyed by the civil war. End of 1921 - Lenin claimed the NEP was the best way to industrialise the Soviet Union and was a form of state capitalism. By 1926, industrial production largely recovered to 1913 levels.

Question 22

(Consequences of the NEP)
What was the Scissors Crisis?

Answer 22

Agriculture recovered quickly, supply increased and so prices fell. Industry recovered much more slowly. A gap opened up between prices. By 1923 it reached a crisis point where farmers were disincentived from producing food (low prices) and could not afford insdustrial goods. In December 1923 the government had to subsidised the price of industrial products - less money available to improve the economy.

Question 23

(Consequences of the NEP)
Inequality and Corruption

Answer 23

Nepmen spotted gaps in the market and would travel the country transporting highly desirable goods from factories + farms to markets. The Communist Government saw nepmen as parasites as they produced nothing. Nepmen sometimes arrested by the Cheka for profiteering. Corruption grew - Gambling, prostitution and drug dealing all took place under NEP.

Question 24

What percentage of firms were in private hands by 1923?

Answer 24

85%

Question 25

Was the NEP successful?

Answer 25

It did stabilise the economy and replace an unpopular policy thus preventing another rebellion and ensuring Communist control. But it did lead to slow industrial growth, an unbalanced economy, inequality, crime, and factionalism within the Party.

Question 26

What were the aims of the Five-Year Plans?

Answer 26

Primary objective was to industrialise the USSR by combining centralised planning with large-scale investment - industrialisation. Eliminate the inefficiencies of the NEP. To assert Stalin’s personal authority. To make the USSR be self-sufficient.

Question 27

Despite being 100 years behind advance economies, how quickly did Stalin say the USSR could catch up in, and how?

Answer 27

In 10 years - through planning.

Question 28

Who oversaw Industrialisation and how?

Answer 28

Gosplan - set targets for industries the government saw as a priority for modernisation and resources were allocated accordingly.

Question 29

Why were party officials used at a factory level?

Answer 29

To ensure orders from the centre were carried out.

Question 30

What were elements of the massive propaganda campaign that was implemented?

Answer 30

Campaigns focused on the heroic objectives of the plans, celebrated successes of the plans, claimed plans had led to the destruction of capitalism and described the modern, industrial future (Socialist utopia) the plans would create.

Question 31

Who did the Five-Year Plans see a drive against?

Answer 31

Against Nepmen and ‘bourgeois experts’. built on prejudices of industrial workers and rank and file communists and was probably encouraged by the experts' spectism that the aims of the Plans could never be achieved. Removal of experts would open up job opportunities to more loyal (possibly less-trained) communist members. 1928 - series of show trials against bourgeois experts accused of deliberate sabotage, often in collaboration with foreign agents. Part of the old world disappeared and was replaced by a stronger socialist order. Loss of experts hindered progress.

Question 32

When was the First Five-Year Plan and what did it focus on?

Answer 32

1928-32 Concentrated on rapid growth of heavy industry (coal, steel, iron) - approach recommended by super industrialists.

Question 33

Give an example of a large industrial centre built.

Answer 33

1929, only 25 people in Magnitogorsk - 1932 increased to 250000. Facilities at these centres were primitive - workers housed in tents and temporary huts - material rewards limited and work was hard.

Question 34

By 1933 what percentage of the Moscow workforce was skilled?

Answer 34

17%

Question 35

Who was Alexei Stakhanov?

Answer 35

Coal miner from the Donbass region who could mine 15 times the average amount of coal.

Question 36

Statues of who were built to inspire workers?

Answer 36

Lenin

Question 37

White Sea Canal Project

Answer 37

Employed 180,000 prisoners by 1932 - winter of 1931-32 10,000 prisoners died. Completion of the projection was hailed as a propaganda triumph by the government. Despite the depth being reduced from 22 to 12 feet - useless for all except small barges. Illustrates Stalin's attitude that human cost and quality were of no consequence as long as aim was achieved.

Question 38

Why were factory managers under severe pressure?

Answer 38

Set with unrealistic targets (occasionally included ambushing resources destined to other factories). Bribery was useful to factory managers - corruption which the USSR became infamous for had roots in the 1930s. Rush to fulfil targets meant quality was often sacrificed. A Stalingrad factory was meant to be producing 500 tractors a month (1930), in June it only produced 8 - most of which broke down in 3 days.

Question 39

When was the Second Five-Year Plan and what did it focus on?

Answer 39

1933 to 1937. The Second Five-Year Plan learnt from the chaotic planning of the first plan and made more use of technical expertise. New industrial centres started production - results were impressive Most successful plan.

Question 40

When was the Third Five-Year Plan and what did it focus on?

Answer 40

1938 to 1940. Initially set higher targets for production but rise of Hitler and Stalin’s own paranoia + isolationism redirected focus onto needs on defence - heavy industry prioritised. The Third Five-Year Plan geared more directly to arms to respond to growing international tension.

Question 41

(Overall Achievements) How much electricity in 100 milliard KwH was there in: 1927 1932 1937 1940

Answer 41

1927 - 5.0 1932 - 13.4 1937 - 36.2 1940 - 48.3

Question 42

(Overall Achievements) How much coal was produced in: 1927 1932 1937 1940

Answer 42

1927 - 35.4 1932 - 64.3 1937 - 128.0 1940 - 165.9

Question 43

(Overall Achievements) What was the growth rate overall for the period 1928-41?

Answer 43

17%

Question 44

(Overall Achievements) What were the increases in steel and coal production?

Answer 44

Four-fold increase in steel production and a six-fold increase in coal production.

Question 45

(Overall Achievements) What growth was there in transport?

Answer 45

Moscow metro's first train lines opened in 1935. Moscow-Volga Canal constructed (1932-37) - transportation of goods more efficient. 30,000 km of rail lines built in the 1930s and rail traffic increased by 400%.

Question 46

(Overall Achievements) The Dnieper Dam

Answer 46

Started producing electricity in 1932. Biggest dam in Europe - publicised through propaganda posters. Dam provided power for steel and aluminium industries in surrounding regions.

Question 47

(Overall Achievements) Why was labour productivity low in the beginning? How did the government try to improve it?

Answer 47

Significantly less productive than workers in Western Europe - explained by a lack of incentives (at least in the First Five-Year Plan). Nationwide initiative in 1935 to address low productivity - higher payments and rewards for most productive workers. Additionally Stakhanovites (exceptionally productive) were able to reorganise workplaces to ensure they were efficient. Campaign launched in 1936 - as Stakhanovites educated other workers to be more efficient - productivity gains (1936-40): Chemicals - 34% and Electricity - 51%. Stakhanovite workers often were resented by colleagues or management because they received higher pay.

Question 48

(Overall Achievements) By 1940 how much of government spending went to rearmament? How many military aircraft factories were built between 1939 and 1941?

Answer 48

1/3 9

Question 49

(Overall Problems) What problems were caused by the command economy?

Answer 49

Production quality often low - plans set targets for production not for quality - factory managers rewarded for producing larger quantities regardless of quality. Plans did not specify what materials should be used for and there was little coordination between different factories. Materials produced were often stored at factories and left decaying rather than being used. Problem made worse due to a lack of transport during the First Plan. Some industries wasted up to 40% of what was produced.

Question 50

(Overall Problems) How was Stalin's terror problematic?

Answer 50

Stalin's terror led to purge of industrial managers and officials at the Gosplan - the economic planners who made the Plans work. During the Plans, the USSR had a planned economy but no plan.

Question 51

(Overall Problems) Why was the Gosplan's unrealistic targets a problem?

Answer 51

Industrial managers under pressure to ensure high levels of production and would therefore falsify production figures - falsified data made economic management difficult as effective planning requires accurate data.

Question 52

(Overall Problems) Was rationing an issue?

Answer 52

The government could not supply minimum levels of rations apart from the "three good years" where rationing stopped.

Question 53

What did internal passports do?

Answer 53

They stopped workers moving from town to town in search of better paying jobs.

Question 54

Real wages in 1932 were ______ of what they were in 1928?

Answer 54

half

Question 55

What were the causes of collectivisation?

Answer 55

Communist ideology - private property was one of the foundations of capitalism. Peasant farming implied an individualistic desire to make money. The failure of the NEP - 'grain procurement crisis' The Communists wanted an efficient economy Link with industry The leadership struggle

Question 56

What was dekulakisation?

Answer 56

Kulaks were class enemies and 1.5 million peasants were sent to labour camps. Many kulaks set fire to property and slaughtered their animals. Dekulakisation squads were sent from cities to forcibly organise collectives. Sometimes Red Army air force bombed out of existence some troublesome villages.

Question 57

Between 1928 and 1934 how many animals were killed during resistance to forced requisitioning?

Answer 57

17 million horses, 26 million cattle (number halved and not recovered until 1953) and 60 million sheep and goats.

Question 58

Why did grain production decrease and by how much?

Answer 58

Because kulaks (most experienced) were executed and because of an absence of incentives as farmers were no longer able to make a profit. Grain harvest (mil. tons): 73.3 (1928) to 67.6 (1934).

Question 59

Why was there a government-induced famine in the Ukraine 1932-33? How many died? How much was exported abroad?

Answer 59

Ukrainian farmers unable to meet government targets + resistance to collectivisation had been fiercest in the Ukraine. Stalin punished them by seizing their grain and livestock - government-created famine (1923-33) resulted in the death of 5 million. 4.27 million tons exported abroad. Stalin refused international aid and wanted to use the famine to destroy the resistance of the Ukrainian farmers.

Question 60

What was the Decree about the Protection of Socialist Property?

Answer 60

August 1932 - State can execute anyone who damaged Kolkhoz property.

Question 61

What was the 'law of spikelets'?

Answer 61

Death penalty for anyone caught eating stray bits of grain - seen as theft from state.

Question 62

Did the Machine and Tractor Stations help mechanise agriculture?

Answer 62

Just 75,000 tractors were provided and had little impact on Soviet farming. At best made up for all the horses lost. Also supply was very slow - many without tractors until the mid-1930s and quality extremely poor. Tractor delivery slow - absence of tractors and horses, some cases of pulling ploughs themselves.

Question 63

By how much did grain procurement and grain exports increase by?

Answer 63

Government procured 10.8 mil. tons of grain, rose to 22 mil tons (1933). Grain exports rose from less than 1 mil. Tons (1928) to 5 mil. Tons (1931).

Question 64

What is the estimate for deaths in 1932 alone?

Answer 64

4 million

Question 65

What was the role of the Komsomol in collectivistaion?

Answer 65

To spy on peasants in fields to make sure no food was stolen.

Question 66

What is the estimated death range?

Answer 66

5-10 million.

Question 67

What happened with the collectives in Kazhakstan?

Answer 67

Sheep flocks were virtually wiped out and a typhus epidemic reduced the Kazakh population by 40%.

Question 68

What percentage of plots were private by 1941? How much more did they produce than state plots?

Answer 68

7%. Produced double the amount of meat and milk than state farms. 90kg more grain per hectare than state farms.

Question 69

By how much did rations fall during the war?

Answer 69

Bread rations fell by 40% and Potato rations by 80%.

Question 70

How much of the Red Army's food did the USSR rely on from US Imports?

Answer 70

20%

Question 71

Between 1943 and 1945 how many tanks and aircraft were produced?

Answer 71

73,000 tanks 94,000 aircraft

Question 72

What was the Lend-Lease scheme?

Answer 72

It allowed the USSR to import tinned meat from Britain with payment being deferred.

Question 73

By how much did oil production fall during the War?

Answer 73

2/3

Question 74

Why did agricultural production fall during the War and by how much?

Answer 74

most able-bodied men from collectives conscripted into armed forces and farm machinery and animals requisitioned by the Red Army. Grain output fell 95.5 (1940) to 30 mil tonnes (1942) to 46.8 (1945) + number of cattle halved - government lifted restrictions on cultivation of private plots - incentive.

Question 75

What was the government's priority during the Fourth Five Year Plan (1945-50)?

Answer 75

Economic reconstruction quickly - overseen through rigid state control.

Question 76

How much of investment did heavy industry receive?

Answer 76

88%

Question 77

By how much did industrial output increase by between 1945 and 1950? By how much did Coal increase by between 1945 and 1950 and how much was it in 1940?

Answer 77

80% (surpassing pre-War levels) 165.9 (1940) to 119.3 (1945) to 261.1 (1950)

Question 78

How much of the budget went to military spending and why?

Answer 78

25% The Cold War.

Question 79

How much of investment went to food production and consumer goods? By how much did consumer goods increase?

Answer 79

12% Doubled - but still scarce.

Question 80

When was the Fifth Five-Year Plan and what was its aim?

Answer 80

1951 to 1955 Continued growth at a more realistic rate.

Question 81

Volga-Don Canal Statistics

Answer 81

Operational from 1952. Constructed largely by slave labour - workers told 1 day of work would reduce prison sentence by 3 days - incentive. Canal illustrates Stalin's growing obsession of gigantism at expense of practical use. Canal had little traffic - located where there was little demand for water transport. Decorated with statues of Stalin.

Question 82

By 1952 real wages __________ the level of 1928

Answer 82

matched

Question 83

Why did agriculture become less productive after the War?

Answer 83

Concessions given out during the war were abolished and taxes were raised on private plots. After the war, the imbalance of sexes became stronger and so women had little choice but to often shackle themselves to ploughs.

Question 84

______ grain production was below 1940 and _______ productivity was lower than in 1913

Answer 84

1952

Question 85

What was the grain output in 1952?

Answer 85

92.2 million tons.

Question 86

Why did Khrushchev want to promote light industry?

Answer 86

De-Stalinisation saw a move to a greater focus on consumer goods and agriculture at a more realistic pace. Khrushchev wanted to shift focus from heavy to light industry, chemicals and consumer goods - to broaden the Soviet economy, raise living standards and promised the ‘workers’ paradise’ would become a reality.

Question 87

What were the key challenges opposing Khrushchev?

Answer 87

The vast bureaucratic system of administrators stifled innovation. The system was wasteful and unable to deal with new trends.

Question 88

How did Khrushchev try to resolve these issues?

Answer 88

In 1957 he decentralised decision-making through the creation of 105 Sovnarkhozes. He removed Stalin's harsh labour laws. In 1960 the working week was reduced from 48 to 41 hours. Managers of indsutrial enterprise were given more influence and there was a greater emphasis on vocational education.

Question 89

What was military spending in 1955, 1958 and 1964?

Answer 89

1955 - 12.1% 1958 - 9.1% 1964 - 11%

Question 90

When was the Seventh Five-Year Plan and what was its aim?

Answer 90

1959 to 1965 To increase investment in consumer goods and light industry.

Question 91

What did Khrushchev say to the West in 1959 and what were his aims which he hoped to achieve by 1970 and 1980 respectively?

Answer 91

'We will bury you' To overtake the USA by 1970 an to build Communism by 1980.

Question 92

What was the annual growth in the 1950s in the USSR comapred to the USA?

Answer 92

7.1% 2.9%

Question 93

Why did successes mask reality?

Answer 93

Although more choice for consumers, quality being poor in order to meet targets remained common. E.g. shoe factory produced the target of shoes but all had the heels nailed to the toe. Soviet economy lagged behind because of smaller economic base, poor labour productivity, inefficiency and waste/ Sovnarkhozy experiment made national planning more difficult - local planning harder to oversee + Gosplan had less influence to direct decisions.

Question 94

Industrial production in 1960 ______ times 1950, ______ times 1940.

Answer 94

three five

Question 95

What was the percentage increase in the production of consumer goods? How much did coal and fertiliser increase by?

Answer 95

60% Coal: 493 (1958) to 578 (1965) Fertiliser production increased by 19 million tons.

Question 96

By 1965, what percentage of households had TVs, had refrigerators, and had washing machines? What was the life expectancy under Khrushchev?

Answer 96

32% 17% 29% Reached the high sixties

Question 97

Why had economic growth and spending on consumer goods slowed down by 1964? Why was quality so poor?

Answer 97

The military-industrial complex was too strong for Khrushchev - a rise in military spending coincided with a decrease in economic growth. His ideas had become watered down or ignored. Also the Soviet economy was designed not to produce consumer goods but to meet targets - fundamental problem was that the command economy focused on production not consumption - most new consumer goods were often useless, undesirable or unaffordable.

Question 98

What measures did Khrushchev take to increase productivity and output in agriculture?

Answer 98

Individual collectives were given greater powers - flexibility from the Ministry of Agriculture allowed. MTS abolished - peasants saw them as instruments of central interference Collectives increaed in size (Agrogoroda) - combined food production and processing - deeply unpopular Prices for state procurement increased and requisitioning replaced with planned purchasing - 250% increase in farm incomes (1952-55) Private plots could sell at private markets - encouraging a regular food supply for Soviet people - nearly all eggs came from private plots. By 1955, 30% increase in tractors available and a 40% increase in the amount of fertiliser produced.

Question 99

When and what was the Corn Campaign?

Answer 99

September 1958. Plan to shift wheat production to newly created Virgin Lands while maize produced in traditional farms in Ukraine - maize used to feed animals, increasing the amount of meat available to Soviet consumers. Failure - Khrushchev's initiative based on success of US farms - Soviet farms only able to produce 50% of corn per hectare than US farms - differences in climate, lower labour productivity and inferiority of Soviet tractors and fertilisers - growing corn meant less hay - animal feed produced dropped by 30% between 1958-64.

Question 100

What was the aim of the Virgin Lands Scheme?

Answer 100

To open up new areas for agricultural production.

Question 101

How many tractors were provided? How many Komsomol members travelled to the remotest parts of the Soviet Union in 1954? Between 1954 and 1960 how many more hectares were under cultivation?

Answer 101

120,000 300,000 46 million

Question 102

What were the problems with the Virgin Lands Scheme?

Answer 102

Soil - very little land suitable for arable farming - Siberia and Kazakhstan completely unsuited and nutrients in soil completely exhausted. Housing - no new accommodation for Komsomol - led to overcrowding in small peasant villages. Workforce - inexperienced Machinery - Khrushchev promised volunteers there would be sufficient tractors (+ other equipment) - he diverted thousands of newly built tractors to the Virgin Lands - but by 1959 only one tractor for every 200 hectares. Biggest failure - grain storage - increase in grain production not matched by barns to store it - thousands of hectares of grain left to rot in fields.

Question 103

Between 1953 and 1958, how much did food production and farmers' incomes rise?

Answer 103

51% 400%

Question 104

What commitment did he make in 1956?

Answer 104

To produce more food than the US by 1960.

Question 105

How much of the Soviet population worked on farms, compared to the American population, and what was the difference in ouput?

Answer 105

44-54% worked on farms - 5% of the American population worked on farms yet produced twice as much food.

Question 106

What was agricultural investment cut to by 1960?

Answer 106

2%

Question 107

Was economic planning centralised under Brezhnev?

Answer 107

In 1965 the new leadership abolished the Regional Economic Councils - power centralised and Gosplan given greater powers of coordination.

Question 108

When were the Kosygin reforms and why were they introduced?

Answer 108

1965-1969 Kosygin recognised that there was little innovation and low productivity and that Gosplan had to take more notice of cost and profit as an economic measure rather than quantity produced.

Question 109

What were the economic enterprises allowed to do?

Answer 109

They would be economically independent - use their own funds to invest in production, determine the number of personnel and pay rent for land and natural resources (practice of economic optimisation). They would be given state bank loans to pay back with interest.

Question 110

Where would profits go?

Answer 110

They would go to pay for capital, pay for cash bonuses and developing the organisation, and also to expand its operations. Any above their spending would go to the central budget - sometimes 80%.

Question 111

By the end of 1967, how many industrial enterprises, trucking firms and railroad system had transferred to this model?

Answer 111

7000 of 45000 1500 of 4100 All 25 railroad systems

Question 112

Did the economy grow more during 1961-65 or 1966-70?

Answer 112

1966-70

Question 113

Why did Kosygin's reforms end up being ineffective?

Answer 113

The officials implementing the reforms were unenthusiastic and hostile towards them. Central planners disliked reforms that made them accountable for policies they had less control over. Brezhnev sympathised with conservatives + sabotaged reforms. Reforms so watered down they were ineffective. Many of the specific changes were revised or reversed between 1969 and 1971.

Question 114

Why did Brezhnev increase military spending and to what?

Answer 114

Cuban Missile Crisis and Berlin Crisis - Khrushchev forced to back down as the US had a much larger nuclear arsenal - Brezhnev wanted to achieve parity with us so the Soviet Union would never be forced to back down again. Military spending 11% (1964) to 13% (1970) - nuclear parity achieved by 1970 (success) - maintaining nuclear parity was a significant drain on the economy - led to growing economic problems.

Question 115

What was Developed Socialism?

Answer 115

Brezhnev dropped Khrushchev's commitment to building communism by 1980 - definitely not possible with slowing economic growth and increasing military spending. Developed socialism would provide a higher standard of living with job security and low prices.

Question 116

How were low food prices achieved?

Answer 116

Low food prices achieved by importing grain from the West

Question 117

How much grain did the USSR import from the USA in July 1973?

Answer 117

July 1973 - 10 million short tons of grain from the USA.

Question 118

How did Brezhnev attempt to ensure the latest technology was applied to production? What did Brezhnev say about this?

Answer 118

In 1973 major industrial complexes joined with scientific research institutions. ‘An alliance of the working class with science’ - Brezhnev.

Question 119

What did Brezhnev do in 1974?

Answer 119

1974 - system of targets further centralised - new targets focused more on cost and profit, instead of output.

Question 120

Why were attempts to adopt new technology limited?

Answer 120

Managers feared losing production while new machinery was installed in factories - so new equipment was often left to rust.

Question 121

Why was using cost and profit figures to judge economic performance was not always helpful?

Answer 121

Prices were set by the government and not supply and demand.

Question 122

Results of the Ninth Five-Year Plan (1971-75)

Answer 122

49% increase in synthetic resins + plastics 24% increase in national income 45% increase in average real incomes 33% increase in industrial output 420% increase in computer technology investment

Question 123

By 1980 how many families had televisions and washing machines?

Answer 123

85% 70%

Question 124

By 1976 how much of investment was in agriculture?

Answer 124

26%

Question 125

How much did average annual output increase by? And was productivity improving or falling?

Answer 125

15% Falling

Question 126

Why was agriculture still so inefficient?

Answer 126

Agricultural workforce large and unskilled, equipment and machinery prone to breaking down, roads impassable and much of food rotted before it reached markets.

Question 127

How were shortages of food in state shops filled?

Answer 127

By private production - In 1978 price at food markets double state shops. Private plots made up 1% of cultivated but produced 25% of all produce.

Question 128

How did Andropov try to improve labour discipline?

Answer 128

Soviet workforce suffered from widespread absenteeism and alcoholism - government officials conducted spot checks looking for slackers - made Andropov unpopular and increased existing resentment to the government. He encouraged people to come forward with new ideas for improving production but being a former KGB boss may have incited fear in people. Operation Trawl - KGB officers visited public places and arrested people who were drunk or absent from work. Andropov’s campaigns did lead to a reduction in traditional vodka - consumption of Andropovka - lower-quality cheaper vodka, increased. Campaigns were poorly enforced so poor labour discipline continued.

Question 129

How much did oil production increase between 1965 and 1980 and why?

Answer 129

245 million tons to 603 million tons. Oil prices had increased - this would help to keep the welfare state despite economic decline.

Question 130

What is evidence of falling growth rates?

Answer 130

Economic growth in 1950s at 7%, 1960s at 5% and 1970s at 3%.

Question 131

How inefficient was Soviet Agriculture compared to the US?

Answer 131

Soviet agriculture - 25% of workforce, 26% of investment and a larger area cultivated than the USA - but only had one sixth of US output.

Question 132

What was the 'social contract'?

Answer 132

Unstated but understood contract that the government would provide employment and a reasonable standard of living in return for workers’ compliance. ‘We pretend to work and they pretend to pay us’.

Question 133

By 1985 what percentage of Soviet resources and the workforce were in industry?

Answer 133

18% of Soviet resources 20% of the workforce

Question 134

What did the Soviet government do to try and access new technologies and why did this fail?

Answer 134

The Soviet government signed deals with the West to access new technologies - agreements with Fiat and Renault to import car-making technology into the USSR but impact rarely extended to plants in which it was used. By the 1980s most Soviet technology was old and physically worn out.