Economic Recovery

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Post-War Recovery

The USSR had been damaged by WW2. The Fourth Five-year plan was aimed to rebuild the Soviet economy.

Impact of WW2

The Soviet Union lost 25 million people.
70% of the USSR’s industries were destroyed.
60% of the USSR’s transport facilities were destroyed.
1,700 cities were destroyed.

Fourth five year plan

In 1946, Stalin announced his new five year plan.
The fourth five year plan focussed on heavy industry and technology.
- E.g. Ukraine’s output in 1950 surpassed its pre-war levels.
This five-year plan was interpreted by the West as a sign that the USSR did not want peace.
In response, Kennan wrote his ‘Long Telegram’.

Reparations

The USSR rebuilt its economy using reparations from Germany.
E.g. the Soviet Union took control of 3,500 German factories.

COMECON

In 1949, COMECON was established. This was designed to unite the Eastern Bloc economically.

1The Leadership Struggle, 1924-1929

1.1Struggle for Power 1924-28

1.1.1Stalin & his Rivals

1.1.2The End of Lenin & Stalin

1.1.3Stalin & the Communist Party

2Five Year Plans & Collectivisation

2.1Changes in Industry

2.1.1Industrialisation & Gosplan

2.2Agriculture & Collectivisation

2.2.1Five Year Plans & Grain Hoarding

2.2.2Collectivisation

2.2.3Kulaks

3Purges, Show Trials & The Cult of Stalin

3.1The Use of Terror in the 1930s

3.1.1Purges

3.1.2NKVD

3.1.3Show Trials

3.1.4Labour Camps

3.2Propaganda & Censorship

3.2.1Art & Religion Under Stalin

3.2.2Media & the Cult of Stalin

3.2.3The Cult of Stalin

3.2.4History

4Life in the Soviet Union, 1924-1941

4.1Life in the Soviet Union

4.1.1Living Conditions & Ethnic Minorities in the USSR

5The Second World War, 1941-1953

5.1USSR in the War

5.1.11941-1942

5.1.21943-1945

5.2Stalin & WW2

5.2.1Stalin's Popularity

5.2.2Post-War Consolidation

5.3Post-War Recovery

5.3.1Economic Recovery

5.3.2The USSR by 1953

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