17.2 - Stalin’s Five Year Plan
by Anthony D, Iva K, Braden R, Nikolas M, Nathan S
Five Year Plan
Collectivization
Because of our desire to turn into an industrial country, rapid collectivization of agriculture has occurred. We urge all our citizens to believe in our cause and obey. Collectivization was a system in which private farms were eliminated. Now that we ran as an industry, farms were owned by the government and the peasants had run them. The peasants were forced to run these farms without any say in the work they were doing.
First Plan
We introduced this in 1928. This plan focused on rapid industrialization and initiated the collectivization of agriculture. Stalin demanded extremely high increases in iron production and electrical power and set firm restrictions on his laborers. Employers would document a workers tardiness, absences, and poor workmanship. The workers constructed dams, railways, canals, and roads all of which helped improve industry and manufacturing. You can help us improve Russia and rebuild its prestige power. The wealthy, independent farmer class was destroyed.
Second Plan
This plan gave priority to heavy industry. The second plan also provided for reconstruction and double tracking of the principal lines, starting with the Trans-Siberian Railway. The widening of old canals and the construction of new ones was another vital task assigned to the new plan. By 1933, the altered international position of the USSR resulting from Hitler’s seizure of power was reflected in a rapid expansion of weapon production. The second plan was also officially declared completed nine months ahead of time. We strived to make this plan go over all of the imperfections in Russia. Tanks and armored cars were given priority over civilian vehicles. The most striking failure was consumer goods production. We wanted to show our power as well as creating a better industry. The first two five-year plans increased the industrial capacity of the USSR dramatically in all major fields: steel, coal, and electric power. We also produced new vehicles—automobiles, aviation, chemicals, and plastics. The first two five-year plans laid the foundation of the industrial power of the Soviet Union. It also showed our military strength.
Third Plan
Stalin’s third plan lasted three years. This plan focused on the production of weapons for World War 2.This plan was introduced to prepare Russia for the war with Germany. By 1940, a third of consumer goods went into the armed forces. Stalin was now focused on being protected against an invading force. We wanted to protect Russia and put our citizens in front. An advantage of this is that the Soviet military technology was improving, as shown when Gosplan ordered the construction of nine new aircraft factories in 1939.