Was_Stalin's_Reign_a_Success

Economic Stalin had transformed Russia from poor backward country into a modern, powerful industrial nation capable of rivalling superpowers like the USA, indicating the progress Russia had made economically since Stalin took over. First and foremost, Stalin recognised the need for a strong industrial base for USSR that can reach the level of capitalist countries in the west, to prevent them from being beaten in another possible war. Stalin first came up with a series of plans, drawn up by approved by the state planning commission which set incredibly high goals and targets the various industries and agriculture had to achieve. Though it was a failure on Stalin part as Russia narrowly missed out on hitting these targets set, however, the marked improvement, in terms the increase in output in these various industries and agriculture, as compared to the beginning of Stalin’s reign indicated the growth of Russia’s economy meaning that it can be still considered a success. This success was brought about by Stalin’s efficient policies. Firstly collectivisation. Drawn up in the first 5 years plans, collectivization was seen as the way to efficient agriculture that would supplement rapid industrialisation. Despite setbacks during the initial phase, these problems were eventually ironed out by various methods, collectivization brought about huge returns for Russia’s economy, by 1937, most farms had tractors, production output were significantly higher. This means more food to sustain the workforce for the industry, and also the exportation of the products would raise funds for further industrialisation. In industrialisation, most peasants were forced to become factory workers, in order to increase industrial outputs. Stalin had high demands of the workers, making them work long hours. Stalin had used various means to motivate such as rewards for better workers, like higher wages, or punishment for the slacker ones like denial of food ration , to ensure workers remain committed to their jobs, thus maintaining the frantic production rate. Stalin had also used his policy of labour camps to great effect. Detainees of the labour camps made up majority of Russia’s workforce and were made to do slave labour, construction in some extremely inhospitable working conditions, that was crucial to Russia’s industrialisation like driving the canal from the white sea to the Baltic sea. The effect of Stalin policies were phenomenal, Russia annual industrial growth was 12-13%. Russia rapid and successful industrialisation enables them to boast one of the highest industrial production rate alongside USA. Thus as seen Stalin’s various policies had a positive and profound impact on the economy, helping to transform it into a prosperous and powerful one as compared to the beginning of Stalin’s reign, hence Stalin was successful in terms of helping Russia achieving growth economically. Stalin ‘s policies impact Political One of Russia first aim, after the dethroning of the Tsar, was to establish Russia as a state of communism via a socialistic state first. However, Stalin obsessions with industrialisation and perhaps driving his own personal agenda in maintaining his power, had seen Russia slipped back into the autocratic dictatorship of the Tsar era. The strength of communism in his government is questionable given that Stalin had failed to adhere to the original tenets of communism. Stalin had disregarded the ideologies and values of Marxism which states the political state of the country should be the dictatorship of the Proletariat, in Stalin’s case, it was the dictatorship of one man, Stalin himself. In an outright display of autocratic leadership, Stalin refused democratic elections to select leaders or make decisions which are a crucial aspect of communism where the direction of the country is determined by the people, the proletarians. A policy of Stalin that perfectly exemplifies his autocratic leadership would be “the Purging”, where Stalin not only denied elections, but also removed his opposition by force to consolidate his power. Stalin had arrested any suspected oppositions , sending them to labour camp, where they are executed or detained. It was estimated that 40 million people were arrested during year 1936-51. A notable casualty would be Leon Trotsky, Stalin’s political rival, who was murdered in Mexico by Stalin’s men. Hence as seen Stalin’s reign was a failure, he had failed to steer Russia in the direction of a communistic state, progressing towards that goal, rather he was deviating, slipping back into the autocratic era. Social While Stalin policies brought about huge economy success, and growth for the country it also necessitate failure in term of the social aspect of Stalin’s rule. In his zeal to industrialise Russia, Stalin neglected his people’s welfare, ignoring their rights. His economic success came in exchange of huge human sacrifices. Firstly, the rights of the people were overridden. Peasants were forced to give up their land to work in factories in collectivisation, or they were forced to sell their products are low prices to the state. Workers were then forced into horrendous working conditions such as long hours, low pay. Punishment such as denial of food or deportation to the labour camps awaits those that fail to comply with the state’s decision or policies. As seen, the people were forced into doing things against their own will. Next the standard of living in Russia was poor. Much of Russia’s finances and focus went into developing the economy rather than the country’s infrastructure, making living conditions extremely brutal. Stalin’s policies too had created the problem of famine. Collectivisation drew the ire of the peasants who revolted by destroying their livestock or machinery causing agriculture output to drop severely. This resultant famine lasted for several years in the early 1930s.The problem was compounded by the fact Stalin chose to export whatever food available to fund industrialisation. Thus as seen, the quality of life in Russia under Stalin was bad, with poor living conditions and the lack of food. Lastly, the biggest sacrifice for Stalin’s policies would be the loss of human’s lives. In exchange for economic success, many lives have been lost during the labouring process. To facilitate his economic objective, of collectivisation, Stalin had wiped out an entire class of peasants called the Kulaks. An estimated 5000000 kulaks were exiled or sent to labour camps where many had died. Also, to consolidate his power, Stalin had arrested a lot of people, deporting them to labour camps or executing them under his policy of “purging”, suspecting them of wanting to over throw him. Over 40000000 people were arrested in year 1936-1953. Labour camp which contributed much to the country’s workforce had poor living conditions, with temperature dropping very low and inadequate food supplies, inevitably people Huge numbers of people dying surely does not qualify as progress for the country. Hence as seen, though Stalin’s policies had helped to elevate Russia’s economic growth significantly, it had a profound impact on Russia society, with the human sacrifices being the price to pay for the success. Surely, the loss of several lives , humans rights and poor quality of life, does not qualify Russia’s society as progressing Thus Stalin had failed in terms of ensuring progress for the country in the social aspect.