Soviet Industrialization and the Origins of World War II

Soviet Economic Transformation (1928–1941)

The Planned Economy and Five-Year Plans

In 1928, the first Five-Year Plan was introduced, establishing the USSR's economic goals. Key objectives included industrial development, and achieving agricultural and military self-sufficiency. All economic activity came under state control.

Collective Farming

Collectivization established land collectives, requiring landowners to give up individual ownership. The Kulaks (wealthy peasants) resisted these changes and faced brutal repression. Production often failed to meet planned targets, leading to widespread scarcity and famine.

Two main types of collectives existed:

• Kolkhozes: Large collective farms.
• Sovkhozes: State-owned farms where workers were paid a salary.

The aim was to make both types highly mechanized and utilize advanced farming techniques.

Industrial Development

Priority was given to heavy industry and energy production. The state promoted productivity, encouraging workers to take on extra shifts. Initial results were spectacular, transforming the USSR into an industrial power. However, this intense focus resulted in an excess of capital goods and a scarcity of consumer goods.

The Road to World War II

Causes of Global Conflict

Several factors contributed to the outbreak of World War II:

• Impact of World War I: Peace treaties weakened many countries. Germany's obligation to pay war reparations fueled resentment and contributed to the rise of Nazism.
• Rise of Fascism and Nationalism: Fear of a Communist revolution led many to believe that fascism and nationalism were necessary ways to combat it.
• Weakness of Democracies: The expansionism of Germany and Italy was facilitated by the weakness of democratic powers. The League of Nations proved ineffective.
• The Great Depression: The severe economic crisis of the 1930s made extreme ideologies seem like viable solutions.

The Advance of Fascist Aggression

Japan, Italy, and Germany pursued aggressive foreign policies:

• Japan: Occupied Manchuria in 1931 and began a long war with China in 1937.
• Germany (Adolf Hitler): Elected Chancellor in 1933. Hitler advocated Pan-Germanism, rejected the borders established by the Treaty of Versailles, and pushed for territorial expansion. In 1936, he sent armies into the Rhineland, which was a demilitarized zone.
• Italy: Invaded Ethiopia in 1935 and began cooperating with Nazi Germany.

Formation of the Axis Powers

German-Italian relations solidified in 1936 when both nations supported Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War. They subsequently formed the Rome-Berlin Axis. Furthermore, Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact, aimed against the USSR.