Stalin’s 5-year plan
‘Stalin was ruthless in his mission to implement communism in Russia through the
Five-Year Plans, from 1928 to 1939.’Critically discuss this statement. Use relevant
historical evidence to support your line of argument.
Joseph Stalin led the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as an absolute dictator from 1929 to 1953. After Stalin
established his supremacy, he abused the power he gained. This resulted in unimaginable destruction to the USSR.
After analyzing Stalin's early life, implemented policies, and global impact, we can see that Stalin was a ruthless
leader.
Stalin wanted to convert the Soviet Union into a world power in a short period. Stalin was determined to achieve
massive agricultural and industrial advancement in record time through his Five-Year Plans which was introduced in
1928. Agriculture was collectivized to form much bigger farms under state control. This led to a grain crisis between
1927 and 1928 because many peasants refused to effectively participate in collectivization.
Stalin used forcible requisitioning of produce and it became official policy. People who disobeyed were shot or sent
to labor camps. Massive uprising by peasants in March 1930. A little more freedom was given and the situation on
collective farms slowly stabilized.
By 1937, more than 90% of peasants lived and worked on collective farms. Industrialization was necessary for
collectivization to succeed. Bigger farms needed tractors and agricultural machines. The focus was on heavy industry
and very rapid industrial progress. New factories and towns developed rapidly. New roads and railways had to be
built.
The government set up extremely ambitious targets. The Second Five Year Plans focussed on heavy industry,
communication, railways, energy, and defense. The outbreak of the Second World War interrupted the Third Five
Year Plans.
Fast industrialization was achieved by massive propaganda, forced labor, terror, competition and incentives, low
wages, technical training, and literacy programs. The Soviet Union’s success can be measured by its participation in
World War II. The USSR succeeded in helping the Allies obtain victory over Germany.
Stalin was able to turn the USSR into a world power by the outbreak of World War II, but at a huge cost of human
life.
‘Stalin was ruthless in his mission to implement communism in Russia through the
Five-Year Plans, from 1928 to 1939.’Critically discuss this statement. Use relevant
historical evidence to support your line of argument.
Joseph Stalin led the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as an absolute dictator from 1929 to 1953. After Stalin
established his supremacy, he abused the power he gained. This resulted in unimaginable destruction to the USSR.
After analyzing Stalin's early life, implemented policies, and global impact, we can see that Stalin was a ruthless
leader.
Stalin wanted to convert the Soviet Union into a world power in a short period. Stalin was determined to achieve
massive agricultural and industrial advancement in record time through his Five-Year Plans which was introduced in
1928. Agriculture was collectivized to form much bigger farms under state control. This led to a grain crisis between
1927 and 1928 because many peasants refused to effectively participate in collectivization.
Stalin used forcible requisitioning of produce and it became official policy. People who disobeyed were shot or sent
to labor camps. Massive uprising by peasants in March 1930. A little more freedom was given and the situation on
collective farms slowly stabilized.
By 1937, more than 90% of peasants lived and worked on collective farms. Industrialization was necessary for
collectivization to succeed. Bigger farms needed tractors and agricultural machines. The focus was on heavy industry
and very rapid industrial progress. New factories and towns developed rapidly. New roads and railways had to be
built.
The government set up extremely ambitious targets. The Second Five Year Plans focussed on heavy industry,
communication, railways, energy, and defense. The outbreak of the Second World War interrupted the Third Five
Year Plans.
Fast industrialization was achieved by massive propaganda, forced labor, terror, competition and incentives, low
wages, technical training, and literacy programs. The Soviet Union’s success can be measured by its participation in
World War II. The USSR succeeded in helping the Allies obtain victory over Germany.
Stalin was able to turn the USSR into a world power by the outbreak of World War II, but at a huge cost of human
life.
