we are fifty years behind the advanced countries. we must make good this lag in ten years. either we...

STALIN STALIN & &

his policieshis policies

You will learn :You will learn :

How Stalin turned the How Stalin turned the USSR into a socialist state USSR into a socialist state through his economic and through his economic and political policiespolitical policies

We are fifty years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this lag in ten years. Either we do it or they crush us.

Damn, I want to make the USSR into a true socialist state. Then we can become richer and stronger. I want the USSR to be the most powerful country in the world. Yes, let the dogs out!

STALIN’s five year plansSTALIN’s five year plans

• Stalin’s Five Year Plans Stalin’s Five Year Plans were government targets were government targets for huge increases in for huge increases in production to be achieved production to be achieved in 5 yearsin 5 years

• There were 3 Five Year There were 3 Five Year Plans : 1928, 1932 and Plans : 1928, 1932 and 19381938

• Each plan covered Each plan covered agriculture and industryagriculture and industry :{:{


• Stalin’s main concern : To Stalin’s main concern : To develop USSR’s industrydevelop USSR’s industry

• So his FYPs called for a So his FYPs called for a programme of rapid programme of rapid ““industrialisationindustrialisation””

• Main ideaMain idea : to turn an : to turn an agricultural country into an agricultural country into an industrialized countryindustrialized country :{:{

Turn the Soviet Union into an industrialised country? How the #$%@@#$%#$@ am I going to do that? I’ll need to pray to the Communist God for inspiration!!


First, methods of farming First, methods of farming had to be changedhad to be changed1.1. Improved farming Improved farming methods methods means that fewer means that fewer people are people are required to look required to look after the landafter the land

• Excess can then work in Excess can then work in factoriesfactories

2.2. Efficient farming methods Efficient farming methods might imply surplus crops for might imply surplus crops for exportexport• Will help to pay for new Will help to pay for new

factoriesfactories :{:{

INDUSTRYINDUSTRY

• Stalin’s main interestStalin’s main interest : develop the heavy : develop the heavy industries of coal, iron and steelindustries of coal, iron and steel

• MagnitogorskMagnitogorsk – largest steel factory in USSR – largest steel factory in USSR in the 1930sin the 1930s

• This was the type of industry Stalin wanted This was the type of industry Stalin wanted to createto create

• Steel used for building tractors, railways Steel used for building tractors, railways and other industrial productsand other industrial products

• See table for the increase in steel See table for the increase in steel production production :{:{

Industry in Magnitogorsk centers around the world’s largest single steel milling and shaping factory. The five mills at the plant produced the steel for half of all of the Russian tanks during WWII. This historically military emphasis is typical in the Stalin Era city and is commemorated in a statue of the personified Soviet Worker handing the sword that he has forged to the Soviet Soldier.

http://www.macalester.edu/COURSES/GEOG61/aritz/industry.html

http://www.macalester.edu/COURSES/GEOG61/aritz/Images/tulfur.jpg

http://www.macalester.edu/COURSES/GEOG61/aritz/Images/tulfur.jpg

Mine on Magnetic Mountain in Magnitogorsk

Source : http://www.macalester.edu/COURSES/GEOG61/aritz/industry.html

PHOTO-TOUR OF MAGNITOGORSK PHOTO-TOUR OF MAGNITOGORSK

TODAYTODAY

http://www.mgn.ru/magnitogorsk/Photos/Postcard/1989/List_1989.htm

PHOTO-TOUR OF MAGNITOGORSK PHOTO-TOUR OF MAGNITOGORSK

TODAYTODAY

Industrialisation - DamIndustrialisation - Dam

This impressive dam was completed under Stalin's Five Year Plan for modernizing Soviet industry

INDUSTRYINDUSTRY P

rod

uct

ion

in m

illio

n t

ons

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1928 1931 1937 1940

OilSteel

INDUSTRYINDUSTRY

• The steel industry consumed vast amounts The steel industry consumed vast amounts of energyof energy

• Thus a key component of the Five Year Thus a key component of the Five Year Plans was coal and oil production, and the Plans was coal and oil production, and the development of electricitydevelopment of electricity• Coal and electricity production increased Coal and electricity production increased

5 times between 1928 and 19405 times between 1928 and 1940• Oil production more than doubledOil production more than doubled• See table See table :{:{

INDUSTRYINDUSTRY P

rod

uct

ion

in m

illio

n t

ons

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1928 1931 1937 1940

OilSteel

INDUSTRYINDUSTRY P

rod

uct

ion

in m

illio

n t

ons

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1928 1931 1937 1940

COAL

COMMUNICATIONSCOMMUNICATIONS

• Rapid industrialization and modernization of agriculture must go hand-in-hand with ‘communications’

• Goods must be transported quickly and cheaply from one place to another

• USSR was a huge country• Lines of communication were vital• Thus, an important part of the FYP was the building

of roads, canals and railways• To link mines with factories; factories with centres

of population• Also easier to transport food from countryside to

towns :{:{

Major projectsMajor projects

• Moscow-Volga Canal • linking Moscow with the Black Sea

• Turkestan-Siberia Railway• Building it without modern equipment• Thosands of labourers involved,

mostly prisoners of the state

COMMUNICATIONSCOMMUNICATIONS

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE

• Most people in Russia still worked on the landMost people in Russia still worked on the land• In 1929, Stalin created a new system of farmingIn 1929, Stalin created a new system of farming• Make farming more efficient. HOW?Make farming more efficient. HOW?• Group small farms into larger units called Group small farms into larger units called

‘‘collective farms’collective farms’- small farms in a village were - small farms in a village were joined together into one big farm, owned and joined together into one big farm, owned and worked by allworked by all

• Run by party officials Run by party officials each collective farm 50-100 families

• Most of the production were sold to the state at a Most of the production were sold to the state at a low fixed price low fixed price about 90% according to one source

• The rest divided among workersThe rest divided among workers• This policy was known asThis policy was known as “COLLECTIVISATION” “COLLECTIVISATION” ::

{{

COLLECTIVISATIONCOLLECTIVISATION A programme introduced by

Stalin to increase agricultural production for two purposes:

1. To support his industrialisation programme by reducing the numbers required in the agricultural sector through modern farming methods so that excess labour can be re-deployed to the industrial

sector

2. To export surpluses to raise funds which would be invested into industry :{:{

COLLECTIVISATIONCOLLECTIVISATION HOW COLLECTIVISATION WORKED

• Small farms were merged into large farms owned by peasants

• Wages were paid according to the time spent working

• Govt supplied the new farms with seed, tools and modern machinery

• In return, the products were sold to the state at low prices

• Greater use of machinery helped reduced the labour needed on farms

• Excess labour redeployed to various industries :{:{

COLLECTIVISATIONCOLLECTIVISATION

A staged photo (`1921) extolling the virtues of agricultural collectivism .

COLLECTIVISATIONCOLLECTIVISATION • Opposition by Opposition by kulakskulaks – remember – remember

them?them?• Collective farms deprived Collective farms deprived kulakskulaks of of

their landtheir land• They would rather destroy animals and They would rather destroy animals and

crops than hand them over to the crops than hand them over to the BolsheviksBolsheviks

• Only 3% of the agricultural land was Only 3% of the agricultural land was collectivised by 1928 because of the collectivised by 1928 because of the kulaks’kulaks’ objections objections :{:{

What would What would you do if you do if you were you were Stalin?Stalin?

• Stalin was furious – demonstrated his Stalin was furious – demonstrated his ruthlessnessruthlessness

• Stalin considered the Stalin considered the kulakskulaks an obstacle to an obstacle to the success of his plansthe success of his plans

• Millions were killed, deported to labour Millions were killed, deported to labour camps “camps “GulagsGulags” or allowed to starve to death” or allowed to starve to death

• This was kept secret from the rest of the This was kept secret from the rest of the worldworld

• Most farms were collectivised by 1936 Most farms were collectivised by 1936 25 million peasant farms into 400,000 collectives :{:{


Whoever heard of such a thing – to give up our land and our cows and our tools and our buildings, to work all the time and divide everything with costs? Nowadays, members of the same family get in each other’s way and quarrel and fight, and here we, strangers, are supposed to be like one family

One peasant’s reaction to the idea of collectivisation


Millions of peasants, rather than give them up to the collectives, killed their cows, sheep and chickens. For a short while, the Russians ate more meat than they had for a decade. Then they went on a vegetarian diet.

An American newspaper report from 1930


Why was collectivisation unsuccessful in the Why was collectivisation unsuccessful in the early stages?early stages?

1.1. One reason was the opposition of the kulaksOne reason was the opposition of the kulaks

2.2. Peasants resented forced collectivisation Peasants resented forced collectivisation • they also burned their crops and killed their they also burned their crops and killed their

livestocklivestock• Worked slowly and badly to ensure little surplusWorked slowly and badly to ensure little surplus

3.3. Insufficient new machines in the collectivesInsufficient new machines in the collectives

4.4. Many peasants did not know how to use the Many peasants did not know how to use the machines machines :{:{


Short-term effect of Short-term effect of collectivisationcollectivisation

• Harmful effect on farming in the short Harmful effect on farming in the short termterm

• Agricultural sector collapsed; famine Agricultural sector collapsed; famine across southern USSR in 1932-33across southern USSR in 1932-33

• Estimated 7 million diedEstimated 7 million died• Agricultural production plungedAgricultural production plunged• Did not recover until 1936-37 when he Did not recover until 1936-37 when he

allowed peasants to own land againallowed peasants to own land again• But then the population had increased But then the population had increased

by some 20 million by some 20 million :{:{


Homeless, starving children during the famine of 1932-33Homeless, starving children during the famine of 1932-33

Number of livestock in the USSR (millions)Number of livestock in the USSR (millions)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1928 1930 1933

CattlePigsSheep

Long-term effect of collectivisationLong-term effect of collectivisation

• Collectivisation made it easier to introduce modern Collectivisation made it easier to introduce modern farming methodsfarming methods

• Use of tractors and combined harvestersUse of tractors and combined harvesters• These eventually helped to make farming more These eventually helped to make farming more

efficientefficient• One effect : Fewer people required to work on One effect : Fewer people required to work on

farmsfarms• Freed up people to move into cities to work in Freed up people to move into cities to work in

factoriesfactories• Many peasants were better off Many peasants were better off the state provided, to some

extent, health care, education, homes, fuel for collective workers

• Trade-off – less freedom of action; they worked for Trade-off – less freedom of action; they worked for the state and were accountable to it the state and were accountable to it :{:{


A tractor on a collective farm


EFFECTS OF THE FYPsEFFECTS OF THE FYPs

1. Turned USSR into a modern, industrialized country with much better communication• By the end of the 1930s, the Soviet Union had become the

second industrial power in the world after the USA• Made it easier for the development of other industries• Helped make Russian people better off in some areas

2. Made USSR a more powerful country and one better able to fight a long war• Iron and steel factories – make weapons, tanks and aeroplanes• One reason why USSR was able to defeat Germany in WWII

EFFECTS OF THE FYPsEFFECTS OF THE FYPs 3. Jobs for everyone, thanks to

industrialization• Roads, canals, railways, factories, mines etc• Unlike Britain, France & US where large numbers were

unemployed because of the Great Depression

4. People were worse off in the short term• Pay was low; basic goods in short supply• Std of living dropped• On average, people were worse off than before the revolutions

of 1917

5. FYP concentrated on heavy industry; no focus on consumer goods• Clothing was in short supply• Unsuitable clothes and poor housing/heating made for very

miserable winters

EFFECTS OF THE FYPsEFFECTS OF THE FYPs

6. Workers were treated harshly• In factories, mines and big construction projects• Punished if work targets not met• Meant losing the jobs, and housing and food ration cards too• There were rewards for those who exceeded targets – higher

pay, extra food, special holidays• Alexei Stakhanov – “Stakhanovite”• Such people were not popular. Why?• Their targets used as an excuse to increase other workers’

targets• No proper tools and equipment• Most unable to meet targets, let alone exceed them

POLITICAL FEATURESPOLITICAL FEATURES

1.1. DictatorshipDictatorship• Use of secret police to remove his Use of secret police to remove his

opponents and terrorise all Russians into opponents and terrorise all Russians into obedienceobedience

2.2. PurgesPurges• 1930s : Started a campaign of purges to 1930s : Started a campaign of purges to

eliminate those critical of his policieseliminate those critical of his policies• We shall see more of thisWe shall see more of this

3.3. PropagandaPropaganda• Cult of StalinCult of Stalin• Education and culture Education and culture :{:{

STALIN’S PURGESSTALIN’S PURGES • Stalin determined to let no one undermine Stalin determined to let no one undermine

his powerhis power• Completely ruthless in dealing with his Completely ruthless in dealing with his

opponentsopponents• 1936-1938 – Stalin’s dreaded “PURGES”1936-1938 – Stalin’s dreaded “PURGES”• Aim was to remove (read eliminate!) anyone Aim was to remove (read eliminate!) anyone

critical of him and his policiescritical of him and his policies• Thousands of people were identified as Thousands of people were identified as

‘traitors’ or “enemies of the state”, arrested ‘traitors’ or “enemies of the state”, arrested and thrown into prisonand thrown into prison

• Some who admitted their guilt were allowed Some who admitted their guilt were allowed to surviveto survive

• But just as many were executed or exiled But just as many were executed or exiled :{:{

STALIN’S PURGESSTALIN’S PURGES

• Former Party leaders etc arrested and forced Former Party leaders etc arrested and forced to confess to crimes that they did not to confess to crimes that they did not commit, found guilty and shotcommit, found guilty and shot

• These “show-trials” were filmed and shown These “show-trials” were filmed and shown to others as a deterrentto others as a deterrent

• Many victims of his purges were innocentMany victims of his purges were innocent• Apart from being accused, people were Apart from being accused, people were

tortured, kept in prison without trial or sent tortured, kept in prison without trial or sent to work in labour camps where conditions to work in labour camps where conditions were so bad that huge numbers died were so bad that huge numbers died :{:{


• No one was safeNo one was safe• About one million were About one million were

executedexecuted• Difficult to give an exact Difficult to give an exact

figure because of the figure because of the secrecy with which such secrecy with which such killings were carried outkillings were carried out

• Over 10 million sent to Over 10 million sent to labour camps labour camps :{:{


An abandoned guard tower in one of the hundreds of gulags in the Soviet Union


EFFECTS OF STALIN’S EFFECTS OF STALIN’S PURGESPURGES

1.1. Stalin became more Stalin became more powerful than beforepowerful than before• No one dared to challenge No one dared to challenge

himhim• Even when the USSR were Even when the USSR were

badly defeated by the badly defeated by the Germans in WWII, there was Germans in WWII, there was never any possibility that he never any possibility that he would be replacedwould be replaced

• Contrast this with Tsar Contrast this with Tsar Nicholas IINicholas II

• On the reverse side, his On the reverse side, his reputation was further reputation was further damaged; hated by the damaged; hated by the people people :{:{

STALIN’S PURGESSTALIN’S PURGES EFFECTS OF STALIN’S PURGESEFFECTS OF STALIN’S PURGES

2.2. Severely damaged USSR by removing many Severely damaged USSR by removing many of its ablest peopleof its ablest people• Esp the purge of the Red ArmyEsp the purge of the Red Army• 1937-38 : over half the Red Army officers and all 1937-38 : over half the Red Army officers and all

admirals in the Navy were purged admirals in the Navy were purged • USSR was much weaker in early WWII because of thisUSSR was much weaker in early WWII because of this• Industrial expansion affected by purge of scientists and Industrial expansion affected by purge of scientists and

engineersengineers

3.3. Biggest effect – the misery and suffering by Biggest effect – the misery and suffering by millions of Russiansmillions of Russians• Both relatives and the victims themselvesBoth relatives and the victims themselves• Many simply disappeared and were never heard of again Many simply disappeared and were never heard of again

:{:{

PROPAGANDAPROPAGANDA

• The cult of Stalin : Pictures The cult of Stalin : Pictures and statues of Stalin and statues of Stalin everywhereeverywhere

• Portrayed as the leader and Portrayed as the leader and saviour of Russiasaviour of Russia

• Newspapers, posters and Newspapers, posters and films were controlled by the films were controlled by the statestate

• They gave the impression that They gave the impression that Stalin was a great hero whom Stalin was a great hero whom all should love and obey all should love and obey :{:{

This famous photo shows a This famous photo shows a little girl clinging to a little girl clinging to a “fatherly” Stalin. Stalin had “fatherly” Stalin. Stalin had the child’s father shot later.the child’s father shot later.


Stalin with industrial workersStalin with industrial workers



Doctoring of Photographs :

The disappearance of Trotsky and Kamenev

EDUCATION & EDUCATION &

CULTURECULTURE • Stalin introduced education to Stalin introduced education to

eliminate illiteracyeliminate illiteracy• Tried to control the minds of Tried to control the minds of

younger Russians through younger Russians through educationeducation

• Teachers forced to teach Teachers forced to teach children to be loyal children to be loyal communist citizenscommunist citizens• Taught the communist version of Taught the communist version of

historyhistory• Only one fair and effective way of Only one fair and effective way of

running the country – the running the country – the communist way!communist way!

• Writers and artists had to Writers and artists had to show how happy people were show how happy people were under communist rule under communist rule :{:{


Happy and well-fed peasants in a propaganda poster

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION • Stalin’s dictatorship is Stalin’s dictatorship is

difficult to understanddifficult to understand• Many of his policies were Many of his policies were

cruel and inhumane but he cruel and inhumane but he believed they were necessary believed they were necessary to ensure Russia’s survival in to ensure Russia’s survival in a hostile worlda hostile world

• How different was Communist How different was Communist Russia from Tsarist Russia, Russia from Tsarist Russia, especially where the people especially where the people were concerned?were concerned?• Change in the form of Change in the form of

governmentgovernment• Different economic focusDifferent economic focus• Individual freedom restrictedIndividual freedom restricted• Reign of terrorReign of terror• Standard of living did not Standard of living did not

improve for manyimprove for many

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION • Stalin did improve the status Stalin did improve the status

of the Soviet Unionof the Soviet Union• To some extent, his policies To some extent, his policies

were successful; he did turn were successful; he did turn the USSR into a powerful the USSR into a powerful industrialised nationindustrialised nation

• Could he have achieved this Could he have achieved this without resorting to his without resorting to his dictatorial policies such as dictatorial policies such as collectivisation and the collectivisation and the purges?purges?

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Image: When Lenin died, Stalin ordered the best doctors and scientists to come up with a scheme whereby they could preserve Lenin's body. This scheme was successful and Lenin's mummy was placed in a specially constructed crypt on Red Square. Lines of people came to view the body. When Stalin died, his body was also preserved and he was placed in the crypt alongside Lenin. Later during a period of de-Stalinization undertaken by Krushchev, Stalin's body was removed under cover of night and buried in a modest tomb alongside the Kremlin wall. Krushchev ordered thick layers of concrete to be placed over the tomb so that Stalin could never rise again. The Lenin mausoleum is still open today but since the fall of communism there is much discussion about whether to dismantle it and bury Lenin's corpse in a less conspicuous tomb. (credit: Pictorial Parade)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Information and image sources– Moreira J., World in Transition – Perspectives on

Modern World History, Singapore : SNP Education Pte Ltd, 2000.

– Kelly N. and Shuter J., As It Was Lived – A History of the Modern World, Singapore : Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd, 2000.

– Lim S H, Tham Y P, Wang Z and Yeo L, Inroads – Modern World History, Singapore : Oxford University Press, 2000.

– Tate N., A History of the Modern World, Singapore : Federal Publications, 1995.

we are fifty years behind the advanced countries. we must make good this lag in ten years. either we...

Documents

steel production

steel industry

tonsindustry production

oil production

electricity production

industry stalins main

year plansfirst

type of industry stalin