were five year plans successful

Question 1

influence of f.i. fyp

Answer 1

-bc stalin so heavily invested in huge industrialisation across union believed ussr could learn from industrial developments of western capitalist states
-drew focus on foreign engineers
-due to system of central planning, ussr able to avoid boom and bust period of capitalism in 30s

Question 2

living conditions during five year plans

Answer 2

-between 1938-41, often shortages of foreign goods
-partially because stalin placed more emphasis on heavy industry rather than consumer goods, also because of poor planning
-to overcome scarcity of goods, most goods were rationed for the vast majority of the period of the 5yp
-because of emphasis of five year plans on industry, many peasants moved to rural areas into cities, causing a housing crisis- average town pop increased by 10000s almost weekly
-living conditions worse under fyp’s than nep

Question 3

-working conditions under NEP

Answer 3

-for most part, food rationed
-except for three good years- no rationing
-working conditions generally very harsh
-people would have to work 7 days/ week for long hours
-lateness and absenteeism criminalised
-internal passports introduced as problem of moving around country

Question 4

were the 5yp successful

Answer 4

-while conditions poor, they were not priority
-purpose to industrialise
first 3 did succeed
-heavy industry successful
-industrial prod between 1927 and 1940 saw massive increase- 1927 35m tonnes of coal, 1940 increased to 165.9m tonnes, steel from 4m to 18.3m
-stalin achieved this by building new factories and exploited natural resources
-transport another success: Moscow metro in 1935- increased prod, quicker movement