The five year plans were introduced in 1928 by the Stalin and the USSR in order to industrialise Russia. Stalin wanted Russia to be self-sufficient which it wasn’t at the time to do this. The five year plans consisted of 3 plans were run from 1928-1941. The key features and aims of the five year plans can be viewed as being different for each one, however I will be arguing to a greater extent that the key aims and features of the five year plans didn’t change that much.
The first plan was introduced in 1928 and ended at 1932 and its main emphasis was on heavy industrialisation. The main aim of the first five year plan was to transform Russia into a communist industrialised country without the need of a capitalist society. Stalin was also scared that the west may try and stop the process of turning communism so Stalin believed that rapid industrialisation which was not provided by the NEP would Russia to grow. A growing threat from west also meant that industrialisation would allow the USSR to increase its armaments. Throughout these years production of certain raw materials grew rapidly. For example coal rose from 35.5 million tonnes to 64.4 million tonnes and pig iron from 6.2 to 7.1 million tonnes. The first five year plan also focused on building the foundation of the industrialisation. Huge engineering projects took place new big industrial complexes were built and huge tractor works were being built in major cities such as Stalingrad to meet the needs for agriculture. This was so that the industrialisation process would become more efficient.
The second five year plan carried on with the main objective of heavy industry, but also had some changes. Stalin also aimed to make the life of the workers better in the second 5 year plans. The production of raw materials grew rapidly with coal output increasing from 76 million tonnes to 126 million tonnes. Whilst focusing