Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the main reason for the decline in Soviet economic growth rates from the 1950s to the 1970s?
What was the main reason for the decline in Soviet economic growth rates from the 1950s to the 1970s?
Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the Soviet economy under Brezhnev?
Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the Soviet economy under Brezhnev?
Which of these reforms were introduced during the early years of Brezhnev's leadership?
Which of these reforms were introduced during the early years of Brezhnev's leadership?
What was the primary goal of Kosygin's economic reforms?
What was the primary goal of Kosygin's economic reforms?
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Which of the following was a direct consequence of Brezhnev's focus on military parity with the USA?
Which of the following was a direct consequence of Brezhnev's focus on military parity with the USA?
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Which of Andropov's three campaigns aimed to address the issue of corruption in the Soviet system?
Which of Andropov's three campaigns aimed to address the issue of corruption in the Soviet system?
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What was the main reason behind Breznev's acceptance of the ‘black market’ in the Soviet economy?
What was the main reason behind Breznev's acceptance of the ‘black market’ in the Soviet economy?
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Why did Andropov's reforms fail to stop the economic decline in the Soviet Union?
Why did Andropov's reforms fail to stop the economic decline in the Soviet Union?
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Which of the following accurately describes the Soviet economy’s performance during the 1970s?
Which of the following accurately describes the Soviet economy’s performance during the 1970s?
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What was the main reason for the relative decrease in Soviet economic growth rates compared to the US economy during the 1950s and 1960s?
What was the main reason for the relative decrease in Soviet economic growth rates compared to the US economy during the 1950s and 1960s?
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What was a significant action taken by Khrushchev regarding collective farms to improve production?
What was a significant action taken by Khrushchev regarding collective farms to improve production?
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What was the main goal of the Virgin Lands Scheme launched by Khrushchev?
What was the main goal of the Virgin Lands Scheme launched by Khrushchev?
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What was the consequence of the Corn Campaign initiated by Khrushchev?
What was the consequence of the Corn Campaign initiated by Khrushchev?
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Between 1954-1959, how did agricultural investment change in the Soviet budget?
Between 1954-1959, how did agricultural investment change in the Soviet budget?
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What result did the changes in the government’s relationship with collective farms primarily lead to?
What result did the changes in the government’s relationship with collective farms primarily lead to?
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What problem did Soviet farms face in comparison to US farms during the Corn Campaign?
What problem did Soviet farms face in comparison to US farms during the Corn Campaign?
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What was the increase in the number of tractors available by 1955 due to Khrushchev's investments?
What was the increase in the number of tractors available by 1955 due to Khrushchev's investments?
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What was one of the primary focuses of the Corn Campaign?
What was one of the primary focuses of the Corn Campaign?
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What was the initial result of the Virgin Lands Scheme between 1953 and 1958?
What was the initial result of the Virgin Lands Scheme between 1953 and 1958?
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What was a critical limitation of Soviet agriculture highlighted during the Corn Campaign?
What was a critical limitation of Soviet agriculture highlighted during the Corn Campaign?
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What was the percentage increase in agricultural production overall by 1964 compared to 1958?
What was the percentage increase in agricultural production overall by 1964 compared to 1958?
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What was one major drawback of the Virgin Lands Scheme?
What was one major drawback of the Virgin Lands Scheme?
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What was Khrushchev’s expectation for food production by 1960?
What was Khrushchev’s expectation for food production by 1960?
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Which of the following was a consequence of Khrushchev's central planning in agriculture?
Which of the following was a consequence of Khrushchev's central planning in agriculture?
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What did the 7 Year Plan aim to boost primarily?
What did the 7 Year Plan aim to boost primarily?
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Which statement accurately reflects Khrushchev's approach to agricultural policies?
Which statement accurately reflects Khrushchev's approach to agricultural policies?
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What significant change occurred in military spending from 1955 to 1958?
What significant change occurred in military spending from 1955 to 1958?
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What was one of the main issues with the introduction of the Sovnarkhoz reforms?
What was one of the main issues with the introduction of the Sovnarkhoz reforms?
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What was the intended outcome of increasing chemical production under Khrushchev's policies?
What was the intended outcome of increasing chemical production under Khrushchev's policies?
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What indicates a failure in Khrushchev's agricultural policies?
What indicates a failure in Khrushchev's agricultural policies?
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Study Notes
Economic Priorities 1953-1985
- Khrushchev's agricultural reforms (1953-1964) aimed to boost production.
- Incentive improvements: Reduced quotas, higher prices, leading to a 250% rise in farm incomes (1952-1956).
- Resource investment: Increased fertilizer and tractor production, 30% tractor, 40% fertilizer increase (1955).
- Virgin Lands Scheme: Ambitious plan to cultivate new lands in the Northern Caucasus, Kazakhstan, and Western Siberia. Agricultural investment tripled (1954-1959), from under 3% to 12.8% of the budget.
- Total area sown: Increased significantly (18.2 million hectares in 1953 to 97.4 million hectares in 1964).
Corn Campaign
- Khrushchev encouraged maize production in the Ukraine.
- Failure: Soviet farms produced only 50% of the corn per hectare compared to US farms due to climate, lower productivity, and inferior equipment.
- Reduced animal feed production by 30%.
Agricultural Successes (1953-1958)
- Significant increases in grain harvests, meat, and milk production.
- 35.3% overall agricultural growth.
- Increased food availability and farm worker income (400%).
- Allowed Khrushchev to consolidate his position and pursue ambitious goals.
Agricultural Failures (1954-1964)
- Inefficiencies in Soviet agriculture persisted.
- Costs of the Virgin Lands Scheme.
- Labour-intensive nature of Soviet agriculture (54-44% of the population).
- Declining harvests after initial success (1960-1964), 15% higher production than 1958.
Issues with Khrushchev's Policies
- Ineffective centrally directed campaigns (e.g., Corn Campaign).
- Reform-related confusion in agricultural ministries.
- Inadequate storage and waste of produce.
Industrial Modernisation
Military Spending
- Khrushchev initially decreased military spending (1955-1958), then it rose again.
- Military spending reached 11% of GDP in 1964.
- Growth reduced as military spending grew.
Seven-Year Plan (1959)
- Goal: Boost agricultural and consumer goods production.
- Focus: Chemical production, hoped to improve fertilizer, increase crop yield and consumer goods.
- Success: Increased chemical and consumer goods production but fell short of targets.
Problems with the Seven-Year Plan
- Frequent economic reorganizations (e.g., 1957 Sovnarkhoz reforms – decentralized power, disrupted coordination, 1962 split the party to further increase chaos). This lead to inconsistent, short-lived plans.
- Unrealistic targets.
Post-1964 Economic Reforms
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Restoration (after Khrushchev):
- Return to 5-Year plans.
- Less ambitious consumer goods goals compared to Khrushchev.
Kosygin Reforms (1968)
- Goal: Improve efficiency by granting more power to factory managers and linking success to profits.
- Outcome: Reforms ended in August 1968 before going into effect, as reforms in Czechoslovakia sparked rebellion.
Brezhnev's Policies
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Increased military spending to achieve nuclear parity with the US
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Developed Socialism:
- Abandoned Khrushchev's promise of communism by 1980,
- Emphasized job security and low prices, achieved through grain imports from the West.
- Accepted the black market ("necessary evil").
Andropov's Reforms (1982-1984)
- Goal: Address economic problems.
- Campaigns: Anti-corruption, anti-alcohol, "Operation Trawl".
- Impact: Reduced Vodka consumption but failed to fix underlying issues.
Declining Growth
- Soviet economy's growth rate declined significantly after 1960s.
- Causes: Inefficiencies in central planning, inability to achieve "intensive growth" (growth based on efficiency improvements).
Impact of Oil Prices
- 1970s oil price increases masked deeper problems.
- Allowed imports and maintained living standards initially.
Overall Soviet Economy (1964-1985)
- Minimal reforms, lower expectations.
- Continued reliance on central planning and collectivisation.
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Description
Explore the agricultural reforms and challenges in the USSR during Khrushchev's leadership from 1953 to 1985. This quiz covers key initiatives like the Virgin Lands Scheme and the Corn Campaign, highlighting successes and failures in enhancing productivity. Test your knowledge on the policies that shaped Soviet agriculture during this transformative period.
