What were the features of socialist industrialization in the Soviet Union

The question of the features of socialist industrialization in the Soviet Union is perhaps one of the most controversial and ambiguous in the history of the 20th century. The problem of the price of the achieved success is still of concern to researchers, and the study of how well the results corresponded to the plans of the government, and in our time remains relevant.

Characteristics of the era

An analysis of the features of socialist industrialization in our country is directly connected with the understanding of the socio-political, economic, and cultural situation at the present time. In the 1920s, a course was adopted for the NEP, which implied the introduction of elements of a market economy, free trade, private initiative and entrepreneurial activity. This was a measure of the government to eliminate the consequences of the war and the period of military communism.

Prerequisites

However, when considering the question of what constituted the features of socialist industrialization, it is necessary to understand that the Bolsheviks initially considered the new course as a temporary measure. What is evidenced by the fact that already in 1925, that is, at the very height of economic recovery on market bases, a decision was made at the party congress to create a powerful industrial base in the country. The government pursued the goal of eliminating the backlog of the state from the developed capitalist West European countries and the United States.

Plans

During the period under review there were active discussions on the pace and measures for the development of heavy industry. Two projects have been put forward, each of which makes it possible to understand the features of socialist industrialization in the next decade. Supporters of the first approach proceeded from the notion that changes should occur gradually, on the basis of the current situation in the economic sector, taking into account the practice and specific experience (Bukharin, Kondratiev).

Others, on the contrary, argued that it was necessary to proceed with their prospects, taking into account not real circumstances, but possible future structural changes in the national economy (Strumilin, Trotsky). The latter option later proved to be preferable, which was largely due to the inner-party struggle, when the supporters of the first draft were defeated. What were the features of socialist industrialization, we briefly consider below. Industrialization can be described as a policy of forced modernization, closely related not so much to the economic situation as to politics.

Five Year Plan

In 1929, the first plan for economic development was adopted and approved. Indicative is the fact that he assumed industrial construction not at an accelerated pace, but in a balanced manner, so as not to lead to malfunctions in the established system. Nevertheless, in practice this project proved to be much more difficult and tense, which allowed the government to resort to a number of extraordinary measures. Already on the basis of this first five-year plan it is possible to judge what the specific features of socialist industrialization of the USSR consisted in: accelerated accelerated rates of development, short deadlines, transfer of funds from the village and the population to heavy industry. In addition, the party resorted to such measure as forced loans from the population, that is, once or twice a year a person had to give the state his monthly salary. In addition, the state increased the prices of manufactured goods and lowered it for agricultural products.

Position of the population

The question of the features of socialist industrialization, the answer to which should be sought in the planned regulation of the economy by the party, is extremely important for understanding the situation in our country on the eve of the outbreak of war with Germany. The standard of living of the population was not very high, but the country was embraced by patriotic enthusiasm and enthusiasm, which played a big role in the construction. The "Stakhanov movement" received a large scale. Many workers overfulfilled their plans, and the government actively supported people in this desire for accelerated modernization.

Priorities of development

The problem of what constituted the features of socialist industrialization (the table cited in the article shows distinctive features) is due to the fact that the government set a rather difficult task: literally over a decade to catch up with developed advanced countries. For this purpose, emphasis was laid on the development of such industries as engineering, metallurgy, and construction. Also, a stake was made on the creation of state and collective-farm property, which ultimately led to the liquidation of the private sector in the national economy. However, the main goals of industrialization were achieved: in a relatively short period of time, the USSR entered the second place in industrial production and became economically independent.