Stalin's changes to the economy had far-reaching social consequences.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] GOSPLAN was the state economic planning organisation.
2. [1] It set overall targets for an industry.
3. [1] It was focused on building up heavy industries such as coal and iron.
4. [1] It planned and invested in vital industries.
5. [1] Each region of the USSR was given production targets.
6. [1] The region set targets for each mine or factory.
7. [1] GOSPLAN was responsible for the administration of the Five-Year Plans.
8. [1] The peasants destroyed their crops and animals.
9. [1] There was no seed to plant the following year.
10. [1] Crops were requisitioned and taken away from the villages.
11. [1] Stalin continued to export grain even though there were shortages in Russia.
12. [Level 3/4 explanation example] There was a famine because the peasants resisted collectivisation. Rather than give their animals and crops to the state, they destroyed them and so there was no food in the villages.
13. [1] There was work for everyone.
14. [1] There was a slight increase in the standard of living in the late 1930s.
15. [1] Factory discipline was harsh and punishments were severe.
16. [1] There was a lack of consumer goods.
17. [1] Some workers who exceeded their targets were rewarded.
18. [Level 3 explanation example - Workers did not benefit] In some ways the workers did not benefit. Factory life for workers under the Plans could be harsh. Lateness or absences could be punished by sacking and this often meant losing your house or flat. To escape the hard discipline, some workers tried to move jobs, but the free movement of workers in the USSR was banned.
19. [Level 3 explanation example - Workers benefited] However, some workers benefited. There was no unemployment. By the late 1930s, many Soviet workers had improved their conditions by acquiring well paid skilled jobs under the Plans and earning bonuses for meeting targets. Education, medicine and training schemes were free.