The USSR: Political Structure, Stalinism, and Planned Economy

The Organization of the State

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was created in 1922 as a federation of republics. The first constitution of the USSR was formulated in 1924 and established a new political system. The republics had autonomy in domestic policy and could retain their languages and customs. The highest legislative body was the Supreme Soviet, elected by the Soviets of the republics. This institution named the Presidium, whose president was the Head of State, and the Council of People's Commissars, which was similar to a Council of Ministers.

A Totalitarian Dictatorship

In 1929, Stalin took control of the government and established a personal dictatorship based on the cult of personality:

• Propaganda: Used to depict Stalin as the great benefactor and father of the people.
• Reinforcement of the Communist Party: People had to be members of the CPSU, which imposed all candidates for the Soviets.
• Terror: All opposition was silenced. The most intense purges took place between 1933 and 1939. At the Moscow Trials, former party leaders were forced to confess crimes they had not committed. Thousands were sent to concentration camps called Gulags, where they performed hard labor.
• Cultural Control: The party mandated that art serve as propaganda, depicting the Revolution and its leaders. An official artistic style was established: Socialist Realism.

A Planned Economy

In 1928, Stalin brought all economic activities under state control. The USSR began planning its economy with the First Five-Year Plan, which aimed for industrial development and agricultural self-sufficiency. Private property disappeared.

Collective Farming

The plan established that land belonged to the collective. There were two types:

• Kolkhozes: Collective farms.
• Sovkhozes: State-owned farms that paid workers a salary.

Stalin attempted to mechanize agriculture to modernize the sector and increase resources.

Industrial Development

Priority was given to heavy industry and energy production. Coal, petroleum, and electricity production doubled. The state promoted productivity, mainly through propaganda. The results were spectacular, and the USSR became an industrial power. However, these policies generated imbalances: there was an excess of capital goods, such as machinery and weapons, but a scarcity of consumer goods like clothes, shoes, and household items.