What is the ‘Great Turn’
•Between 1927 and 1929 there was a dramatic shift in economic policy called the ‘Great Turn’
•The NEP was abandoned as the regime commuted itself to rapid industrialization whatever the costs, brutal enforcement of agricultural collectivisation was fully accommodated
What did the Great turn ideologically mark?
•The shift from the Leninist phase of the Bolshevik state to the start of Stalinism
What were the problems with the Russian economy?
•Industrialisation was badly hit by the impact act of war and civil war
•There was some degree of industrial recovery after 1922 but this was slow and patchy despite the work of the Veshenka and Gosplan
•The problems with industrialization were closely linked to agriculture and collectivisation
•Collectivization had existed in limited extent since 1918
•the regime, under the NEP, required sufficient food to supply the needs of wokers as well as a surplus of grain for industrial investment and machinery
•There was little enthusiasm for Kolkhozes and Sovkhozes (voluntary collective farms)
What were the overall reasons for the Great Turn?
•There was serious weaknesses in industrial management and more efficiency was needed to increase production
•In 1927, the NEP was failing to produce the growth that many leading communists had expected and people wanted less reliance on foreign imports (wanted the USSR to be self sufficient)
•Party accused the farmers of hoarding grain as the amount of gain purchased by the government was 25% down the previous years total in 1927
•Many in the party were impatient to revert to ‘true socialism’ which was essential to develop industry and not have the state dependent on peasant producers ( the state would control production)
•Stalin didn’t need Lenin’s support anymore or his followers, after his defeat of the contenders he could become more radical
What happened in 1925?
• The 14th party Congress (industrialisation congress) called for “the transformation of our country from agrarian into an industrial one capable by its own efforts of producing the necessary means”
What happened in 1926?
• the NEP was maintained, although concerns were raised as more investment was needed to drive industry
What happened in December 1927?
•At the 15 party Congress there was an announcement of the end of the NEP and beginning of the first five year plan for rapid industrialization
•this is known as the great turn
What was the Impact of the Great turn?
•It is regarded as an economic and social revolution
•Transformed the Soviet economy through rapid industrialisation
•NEP officially abandoned
What were the main aims for the first five year plan?
•Development of heavy industry like coal, iron, steel, oil
•Boost overall production by 300%
•Feed the expanding industrial work force through big increases in agricultural production (done through collectivization)
What did Stalin launch in 1928 which officially launched his program for rapid industrialization?
•The first five year plan
Why were targets so ambitious?
•Intended to force managers and workers to devote the maximum effort to the fulfillment of the five year plan
What accompanied the five year plan to ensure their success and create enthusiasm ?
•A wave of propaganda
•Propaganda showed over exaggerated predictions of future success
In 1928 what infrastructure/ new complex did Stalin invest in?
•The Magnitogrosk which was known as the ‘New steel city’
How did people react to the five year plan?
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