Russia and Its Neighbors

Stalin's industrialization

Stalin's Economic Aims

Stalin wanted the USSR to modernize at such a fast rate that it could make up the 50-year gap in 10 years. The industry had to be developed to such an extent that the country, which had all along depended mostly on agriculture or farming, had to be changed such that it now depended on industry more. Although Russia was recovering from war, its production from heavy industries was still low compared to other countries. Stalin felt that this needed to be improved if they were to survive any possible attack that might come from the capitalist West attempting to destroy Communist Russia. The USSR needed to invest in materials like coal, iron, steel and power to defend itself properly. Rapid industrialization was also needed for defence as the USSR was surrounded, as Stalin said, by governments that hated Communism: Romania, Iran, Finland and Poland (Yeltsin, pp. 78-96).

In order to become a strong industrial economy, the agricultural sector had to be modernized and made more efficient so it could produce enough food to meet the needs of the workforce. It would also be able to raise money needed for industrialization. Surplus had to be exported and money used to buy machinery and such. Fewer workers could then be used on the farms and industrialization could take place more rapidly by transferring more workers from the countryside to the factories. Unfortunately, Lenin's NEP was not achieving the results that they wanted. Stalin dubbed the NEP as an impediment to communism and had to be scrapped. This rapid industrialization would also bring about two political results(Lipset, pp. 69-105) : (i)Communist support would increase as the workers were the Communists' greatest supporters; (ii)remaining opposition would be eliminated, in particular the class of rich peasants, the kulaks.

The Stalin Constitution

Stalin claimed this constitution was the fairest in the world. Everyone over 18 was allowed to vote every four years for a national assembly called the Supreme Soviet. This assembly met for two weeks a year. It elected a smaller body, the Praesidium, to act on its behalf. It also chose a Council of Ministers responsible for running the country. Stalin, as Secretary or leader of the Communist Party, led this cabinet (Freedom, pp. 87-95).

Only members of the Communist Party could be elected to the various posts. Stalin controlled party membership, and thus chose those people who liked and supported him and his position. Although the constitution was supposed to be democratic, it is obvious that Stalin had the real power. Stalin and the Communist Party tried to make themselves look good by recognizing the rights of the people to free medical care, to work, to education and political rights, such as freedom of speech and freedom of press. However, all these "freedoms" had to be expressed according to Stalin's and the party's wishes.

The Cult of Stalin

Throughout the 1930s propaganda was used to build up Stalin's image. Like a religious worship, a cult of Stalin was formed. Stalin was like ...