Evaluation of Stalins Five Year Plan

In 1928, Joseph Stalin became one of the world’s most antagonistic leaders. During the period that Stalin was in control of mother Russia, he transformed the Soviet Union into a modern super power. He did this by modernizing the Russian economy with his Five Year Plans. Stalin’s Five Year Plans were designed to strengthen the U.S.S.R’s economy and make the nation self-sufficient. This proved successful in industrializing Russia and greatly increasing industrial output which improved the economy. However , the Five Year Plans resulted in the elimination of an entire class of people, when Stalin introduced the idea of collectivization. Despite the fact the enhancements in industrialization led to a modernized Russia, it lead to maltreated workers and millions of deaths, therefore the actions of the U.S.S.R’s most belligerent leader and his Five Year Plan can not be considered a success.

Stalin believed that Russia was many years behind more advanced countries in Europe. He pushed his idea that if Russia did not catch up soon with the competing super powers, Russia would be completely annihilated. He believed to be backward was to be defeated and enslaved. Both Stalin and previous Soviet leader Lenin believed that the U.S.S.R should overtake and exceed other capitalist countries, he aspired for Russia to become strong enough to survive , then take over the rest of the world and force his extreme views on neighboring nations. Another reason why Stalin instituted the Five Year Plans is because he was fearful and believed Germany would invade and thus he encouraged the people of Russia to work hard and put Russia on top , in order to fight off enemies. And lastly Stalin used the Five Year Plans as a source of propaganda to brainwash people and keep them in line.

How does a single man and party manage to control a whole nation? Well, the Five Year Plans would have only been possible with the entire county working together. Stalin managed to brainwash millions of people to work ridiculous hours for little pay, and he did this all through propaganda. Propaganda was implemented in many forms including posters, slogans and radio broadcasts all promising a better standard of life if willing to work hard, this played believe that if most did it, the rest would follow on as they did not want to be seen different.The young were especially idealistic and the concept of communism was still appealing to most. To further encourage people , rewards were given to the best worker and workers were pushed to compete against each other. Punishment was also used by those who did not work hard. The fear of the labour camps was usually enough to get people working hard. Not attending work, was punishable by being fined or having you ration book taken away from you, all workers had to cary these books which stated whether you had worker hard or not, bad comments from your manager could lead to a fine or even prison. All of this worked in making the people of Russia work harder than they ever have and thus increasing industrial output and Stalin achieved great economic success ,but at the most appalling human cost

Although there are many flaws, Stalin’s Five Year Plans managed to build a strong industrial base for Russia. Strengthening the economy could clearly identify as a definite success of the Five Year Plans. He also wanted to achieve self-sufficiency, and to improve the standards of living of people in Russia to bridge the gap between them and the West. Stalin also desperately wanted to increase military strength due to fear of foreign invasion and a well-developed economy was a must, and because of Stalin Russia grew into a modern state that was able to resist Hitlers invasion and eventually beat the Nazi’s in 1941. The five year plans transformed the primitiveness of the country, creating a massive urban working class. U.S.S.R’s economic standing in relation to other countries improved and there was huge improvements creation of new cities, rapid urbanization meant growth. And because people were made to work hard and long hours, also due to the influx of people into the workforce, the economic output was far greater than before which resulted in nation economic expansion. However despite the extensive industrial growth, the Five Year Plans were not a long term solution and many parts of the “system” can be criticized.

Stalin's economic policies in the form of the several Five Year Plans were mostly a success since they did build up the Soviet Union's industrial strength and capacity, which was their goal.The problem was that the means used to achieve those successes were cruel, unjust and inhumane to a large segment of the population and in a civilized country they should not be utilized.The rapid speed at which Stalin tried to industrialize Russia led to hunger and great suffering not a higher standard of living, a promise which Stalin failed to keep.For all the apparent success of the five year plans, they unfortunately can not be recognized, as those economic advancements are overshadowed by the serious flaws of the policy and the widespread crime against humanity.