What was the Great Turn in Soviet history and what were its effects?

The Great Turn in Soviet history refers to the radical economic and social changes implemented by Stalin in the late 1920s and 1930s.

The Great Turn, also known as the Great Break, marked a significant shift in Soviet policy from the New Economic Policy (NEP) of the 1920s to a command economy and rapid industrialisation. This was primarily achieved through a series of Five-Year Plans, beginning in 1928, which aimed to transform the Soviet Union from a predominantly agrarian society into a major world industrial power.

The Great Turn had profound effects on Soviet society. The drive towards industrialisation led to the rapid growth of cities as millions of peasants moved to urban areas to work in factories. This urbanisation, however, often outpaced the construction of housing and infrastructure, leading to overcrowded living conditions and strain on public services.

Agriculture was also drastically transformed. The government implemented a policy of collectivisation, forcibly consolidating individual peasant farms into large, state-controlled collective farms. This was intended to increase agricultural efficiency and provide the state with a surplus of grain to fund industrialisation. However, the policy was met with widespread resistance from peasants, leading to violent clashes, mass deportations, and, in some regions, famine.

The Great Turn also had significant political implications. The shift to a command economy greatly increased the power of the state and the Communist Party. Stalin used the perceived need for rapid industrialisation and the threat of external enemies to justify a series of purges, in which millions of people were arrested, exiled, or executed for alleged anti-Soviet activities.

In terms of international relations, the Great Turn contributed to the Soviet Union's isolation from the global economy and its increasing militarisation. The focus on heavy industry and armaments production, coupled with the ideological commitment to socialism, led to a deepening of tensions with capitalist countries, setting the stage for the Cold War.

In conclusion, the Great Turn was a period of dramatic change in the Soviet Union, with far-reaching effects on its economy, society, and politics. While it succeeded in transforming the Soviet Union into a major industrial power, it also led to widespread suffering and repression.