Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary goal of War Communism regarding labor?
What was the primary goal of War Communism regarding labor?
What significant issue arose under the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
What significant issue arose under the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
What type of housing became common during the period from 1917-1953?
What type of housing became common during the period from 1917-1953?
What was a consequence of food shortages in factories during this time?
What was a consequence of food shortages in factories during this time?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one of the benefits established under Stalin's regime?
What was one of the benefits established under Stalin's regime?
Signup and view all the answers
Which group generally received fewer benefits during Stalin's welfare policies?
Which group generally received fewer benefits during Stalin's welfare policies?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one of the main outcomes of the housing distribution policies in the 1920s?
What was one of the main outcomes of the housing distribution policies in the 1920s?
Signup and view all the answers
What consequence did the Five-Year Plans have on the workforce?
What consequence did the Five-Year Plans have on the workforce?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Social Development (1917-1953)
- Soviet policy aimed to fairly distribute wealth to all workers and peasants, though often prioritized economic goals.
- War Communism: Compulsory work for all citizens (16-50) was required in exchange for social benefits. Food and fuel were rationed. Other amenities were provided free to urban workers.
- The War Communism system failed due to insufficient rations and workers leaving factories for food in rural areas. Urban population decreased significantly during the Civil War.
- NEP: The economy changed. Soldiers returned and workers were laid off (demobilized/sacked) to streamline industry. Crèches were abolished, hindering women's participation in the workforce.
- The 1920s saw the development of a robust social benefit system covering medical, maternity, and unemployment benefits with the government investing heavily and trade unions administrating. The system covered 9 million urban workers.
- Stalin's Era: Compulsory work (reintroduced under Stalin) was part of a full employment policy. The Five-Year Plans led to increased female and male employment.
- Factories had harsh discipline, and conditions were often dirty and dangerous.
- Social benefits under Stalin included food rations and access to transportation. Vaccines were made available for diseases such as typhus and malaria. Factory canteens were provided.
- Problems with Welfare: Peasants received significantly fewer benefits than workers. Food shortages led to the use of rotten food, animal feed, and other unfit products in worker canteens, resulting in illness. Sanitation was poor in factories and farms, often resulting in infestations and disease outbreaks (lice, dysentery, etc.).
Housing
- Housing was a persistent problem from 1917-1953.
- In the 1920s, Soviet authorities redistributed existing housing, transferring it away from rich owners and giving it to poor citizens. This involved experimentation in architecture, such as the Narkomfin Apartment building.
- These projects, however, were expensive and rare. Existing housing was often divided into kommunalkas (communal apartments) with entire families living in single rooms, as small as 4-5.5 square meters.
- Whole families often lived in under-stairs cupboards or corridors.
- Barraks-style dormitories were constructed, often accommodating more workers than the beds available (e.g., 26,000 workers, but 15,000 beds).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the social development policies in the Soviet Union from 1917 to 1953. This quiz covers key concepts such as War Communism, the New Economic Policy, and the impact of Stalin's regime on social benefits and workforce participation. Test your knowledge on how these policies affected workers and peasants during this turbulent period.
