How far were the Soviet people better off in 1941 than in 1928 after 13years of Stalin’s rule?
...led Nepmen. Many of the Soviet people did not like this New Economic Policy as they believed that it encouraged selfishness and greed. It also created a system of divided classes, for example peasants that sold a lot of their produce and became rich employed poorer peasants to work for them. All the above things show that the Soviet Union was troubled emotionally as well as economically before Stalin’s rule. Those who argue that Stalin’s rule made the people in the Soviet Union better off, say that firstly because Stalin made the country stronger economically by introducing the Five-year plans. The five year plans were introduced so that Russia could concentrate on building up its strength by developing its industry. The first of which was called the GOSPLAN was introduced in 1928 and aimed to drastically expand the productions and output of the Soviet economy. The targets of this plan were ambitious and aimed to double the production of many industries within five years. In 1932 Stalin announced that the targets for the plan had been successfully met. Source E in the John Laver history book on Russia and the USSR shows that all the major industries such as coal, oil, pig-iron, steel and electricity production had increased by a significant amount than what it had previously been. The second five year plan was introduced in 1933 and this brought about even more Successful returns as all but oil production doubles in terms of production. The third and final five year plan began in 1938 and ended in 1941 again massive increases in the production of industrial goods were again seen with every one of the main industries doubling with the exception of oil production. By introducing the five year plans Stalin also had a positive effect on the Soviet Union as they created thousands of jobs therefore reducing the unemployment rate. This also meant that after Lenin’s regime where only the aristocracy could do well, ordinary people could now achieve things. Woman would also support the theory that the Soviet population was better off after Stalin’s rule as under Lenin they had been treated as second class citizens and had few rights. Under Stalin however they were declared as equals to men, meaning that they could do jobs that had previously been done by men. Women were also encouraged to have large families ad were rewarded if they did so, more benefits were also given to people who had larger families meaning that they had more money. Children also benefited hugely from Stalin’s rule as he made sure the schools gave a good education. Stalin also set up Communist party youth organizations giving the children organised activities to participate in for enjoyment purposes. Trips to the cinema were also organised to give the children of the Soviet Union even more enjoyment. Another reason some would say that Stalin had a positive effect on peoples lives was because he came up with the collectivistation plan meaning that the peasants could no longer threaten Russia’s food supply. Stalin believed in Socialism i.e. that all people are equal and therefore disliked the fact that some people had better off than others due to the New Economic Policy. He also disliked the fact that the peasants had the power to cut the Soviet Unions food supply and came up with the idea of collectivization to combat this. Collectivisation was the idea that in selected areas, the peasants would be persuaded to join their small farms together to make large collectives called a kolkhoz. These farms were very large and often covered entire villages and were by the peasants although occasionally some were managed by the government. The aim of these collective farms was to provide a fixed amount of food to the government and any other excess food could be shared out amongst the collective farm workers. Collectivisation was beneficial for Stalin as it meant the peasants could be controlled and farming became more efficient. Most of the poorer peasants agreed to this as they had nothing to lose, although the richer peasants called the kulaks objected as it would mean they would no longer be as wealthy as before under the New Economic policy. All in all collectivisation was a success as it meant that Stalin could guarantee the food supply for millions of townspeople and because it meant that Stalin had taken control of the countryside.. People involved in the communist party would also argue that Stalin had a better effect on the lives of the Soviet people as the party benefited immensely from him being in charge. They got special privileges and were effectively the ruling party of the Soviet Union. Certain people would say that Stalin did not have a positive effect on the lives of the Soviet people. People would argue this as Stalin committed horrific purges. Purges were the killing or imprisonment of anyone who wet against the official communist party. Examples of this happened as early as 1928 when fifteen mining engineers were put on trial as they were accused of attempting to wreck the five year plans. Stalin’s purges after this became worse and aimed at persecuting communists, Muslims, Red army officers and ordinary people. Communists were ‘persuaded’ to confess to crimes they did not commit in order that they could be put on show trial. This was a public trial and if they were found guilty they were shot. This was done in order to make Stalin look good to his party and to the people of the Soviet Union. Stalin persecuted Muslims because he did not believe in religion and closed mosques and stopped the pilgrimage to Mecca. The red army officers were purged by Stalin as they had committed treason and Stalin did not want anyone from his party uprising and taking away his power. This was evidently shown when Sergei Kirov the head of the Communist party in Leningrad was assassinated. It was rumored that many of the Communists wanted Kirov to replace Stalin as party leader, and there was a strong suggestion that Stalin had arranged for his assassination showing his ruthlessness in getting what he wanted. Stalin also purged anyone who openly disagreed with what Stalin stood for. They were sent to labour camps and treated horrifically. Stalin used secret police to ensure that any such open rebellion was met with force and some were simple killed using guns or violence. Those that used this argument would also point out that the p...