IGCSEHistoryCambridge (CIE)Revision NotesRussia: 1905–41What was the Impact of Stalin's Economic Policies?How Did These Changes Affect the Soviet People?

How Did These Changes Affect the Soviet People? (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE History)

Revision Note

Zoe Wade

Did Stalin's Economic Changes Affect all People in the USSR? - Summary

Stalin's economic policies helped the USSR industrialise rapidly. This created job opportunities for many workers, including minorities. Industrialisation helped to modernise the USSR. This improved living standards for some people, particularly those living in urban areas.

Stalin's policies aimed at promoting gender equality in the workforce. More women participated in the labour force. Alongside this, women gained access to education and employment opportunities. Women were encouraged to take on roles in industry and agriculture. This contributed to the overall economic development of the USSR.

Despite these improvements, Stalin's economic changes did not bring benefits to everyone. Many people opposed the regime. The government stopped dissent and limited the rights of minorities, women and workers. Minority groups, such as ethnic minorities and religious groups, faced discrimination. Workers often faced harsh working conditions and low wages.

Positive Impacts of Stalin's Policies

Group

Five-Year Plans

Collectivisation

Unskilled workers

  • Better housing in towns and cities

  • Improved access to healthcare and education as it was free for all

  • Unemployment was nearly non-existent

  • Popularity of the Stakhanovite movement

  • Collective farms had better access to healthcare and education

  • After the Second World War, peasants suffered less from famine

Skilled workers

  • Better training and wages for managers

  • More access to skilled professions such as engineers and doctors. By 1940, the USSR had double the number of doctors per head than Britain

  • The nomenklatura became the new ruling class. They had top government jobs

  • New farming machinery and methods allowed workers to farm more efficiently

Women

  • More women entered the workplace. By 1940, they made up 40% of the workforce

  • Women could pursue skilled professions

  • Businesses established creches to help female employees

  • Paid holidays allowed women to split their time between work and home

  • Women continued to be a key part of the labour force in the countryside

Negative Impacts of Stalin's Policies

Group

Five-Year Plans

Collectivisation

Unskilled workers

  • Workers could not meet their production targets. This led to fines, the loss of jobs and, in severe cases, arrest

  • Wages fell from 1928 to 1937

  • Housing was expensive. Many lived in a komunalki. This was a communal apartment typically shared by multiple families

  • Peasants had no choice but to collectivise. They lost their private farms and their freedom

  • The state suppressed peasant opposition with violence and propaganda

Skilled workers

  • The state gave internal passports to non-Soviet workers. This monitored workers who came to help with the Five-Year Plans

  • Workers with more disposable income did not have much choice in consumer products

  • Many people had to queue to buy clothes and food

  • Kulaks no longer existed as a class

  • Many victims of dekulakisation were not kulaks. The government had a quota of kulaks to persecute

Women

  • The state expected women to continue their domestic duties and work

  • Women were not treated equally to men in the workplace

  • Women became a key opposition group to collectivisation

  • Many women left the countryside to work in urban areas

Minorities

  • Jewish people continued to face persecution. The Doctors' Plot in 1953 arrested nine doctors accused of murdering several party officials. At least six of these doctors were Jewish

  • Many minorities were deported or used as slave labour in the GULAG system

  • Many minority groups were victims of collectivisation. An example of this is the Holodomor

Worked Example

How far do you agree that industrial workers benefited from Stalin’s rule? Explain your answer

10 marks

Partial answer:

In some ways, the workers did not benefit from Stalin's rule (1). Many workers had very poor working conditions (1). Wages fell from 1928 to 1937. When workers did not meet their production targets, they were heavily punished. This could include fines, the loss of jobs and, in severe cases, arrest (1). This meant that the workers did not benefit. Stalin's regime meant that workers had to work harder for less money in a climate of fear. This had many similarities with workers in Tsarist Russia (1).

Examiner Tip

A strong response for this Paper One question needs to examine both sides of the argument. The next paragraph would explain how workers did benefit from Stalin's rule. You could consider the benefits of free healthcare and education. Continue to use a clear PEE structure as shown above.


You would then need to write a conclusion explaining if workers benefitted from Stalin's rule. Remember to use phrases like ‘fully’ or ‘partially’ to consider how different the living and working lives of workers were from Tsarist Russia and Lenin's rule.

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    Zoe Wade

    Author: Zoe Wade

    Expertise: History

    Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

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    After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.