What were the key features of Stalin's Five-Year Plans?

Stalin's Five-Year Plans were characterised by rapid industrialisation, collectivisation of agriculture, and centralised planning.

Stalin's Five-Year Plans, implemented in the Soviet Union from 1928 to 1953, were a series of nationwide centralised economic plans. The primary feature of these plans was rapid industrialisation. Stalin believed that the Soviet Union was lagging behind the West and needed to modernise its industrial base to ensure its survival. The plans set ambitious targets for the production of coal, steel, oil, and electricity. To achieve these goals, new industries were established, and existing ones were expanded. Massive construction projects were undertaken, including the building of new cities, factories, and infrastructure.

Another key feature of the Five-Year Plans was the collectivisation of agriculture. Stalin aimed to replace the traditional peasant farms with large, state-controlled collective farms. The idea was to increase agricultural productivity by using modern machinery and scientific methods, and to free up labour for the industrial sector. However, this policy led to widespread resistance from the peasants and resulted in a severe famine in 1932-33.

The Five-Year Plans were also characterised by centralised planning. The State Planning Commission (Gosplan) set the production targets for each sector of the economy and allocated resources accordingly. This top-down approach allowed the Soviet government to mobilise resources on a massive scale and to direct them towards its strategic goals. However, it also led to inefficiencies and distortions in the economy, as the targets were often unrealistic and did not take into account the actual conditions on the ground.

Furthermore, the Five-Year Plans involved a high degree of state control over the economy and society. The government controlled not only the means of production but also the distribution of goods and services. It also used propaganda and coercion to mobilise the population and to suppress any opposition to its policies. This resulted in a highly regimented society and a climate of fear and repression.

In conclusion, Stalin's Five-Year Plans were a radical attempt to transform the Soviet Union from a predominantly agrarian society into a modern industrial power. They were characterised by rapid industrialisation, collectivisation of agriculture, centralised planning, and a high degree of state control over the economy and society.