‘The quality of life for both workers and peasants suffered as a result of Stalin’s economic policies in the 1930s.’ Assess the validity of this view.

Created by: ClydeandBonnie
Created on: 18-01-24 14:39


	‘The quality of life for both workers and peasants suffered as a result of Stalin’s economic policies in the 1930s.’ Assess the validity of this view.
	Advantages Workers suffered harsh working conditions: 7 days a week, long hours, labour discipline was cruel, arriving last or being absent could result in dismissal, eviction and loss of benefits. Damaging machinery or leaving a job without permission was a criminal offence, strikes were illegal, internal passports and from 1938, labour books recorded employment. There was a severe shortage of housing - the kommunalka restricted privacy, consierges spied on apartment blocks. There was a rise in population which caused strained services. Until 1935, there was rationing with shortages of food and there was a reliance on the black market. Kulaks were deliberately persecuted and wiped out - dislocation of move to collectives brought famine in 1932-33 (particularly in Ukraine).	Disadvantages Industrialisation raised real wages for factory workers. Skilled workers did the best because of the skills shortage. Purges created vacancies "at the top". Hours and wages were regulated. Some had the benefit/access to factory canteens and sometimes factory shops. Urban workers were given education, health, housing and benefits. Women had more opportunities (42% industrial workers by 1945). Peasants recieved a regular wage and could better themselves. From 1935, they had their own private plots and could see in the market place. Compulsory schooling for the first time in the countrysie brought a rise in literacy levels.
	Evaluation *found from AQA website)Overall, for the majority of peasants and workers in the 1930s, they suffered as a result of Stalin's economic policies, however, for some, mostly in urban areas, there were more beneficial regimes implemented which somewhat improved their quality of life.

‘The quality of life for both workers and peasants suffered as a result of Stalin’s economic policies in the 1930s.’ Assess the validity of this view.

Advantages

Workers suffered harsh working conditions: 7 days a week, long hours, labour discipline was cruel, arriving last or being absent could result in dismissal, eviction and loss of benefits.
Damaging machinery or leaving a job without permission was a criminal offence, strikes were illegal, internal passports and from 1938, labour books recorded employment.
There was a severe shortage of housing - the kommunalka restricted privacy, consierges spied on apartment blocks.
There was a rise in population which caused strained services.
Until 1935, there was rationing with shortages of food and there was a reliance on the black market.
Kulaks were deliberately persecuted and wiped out - dislocation of move to collectives brought famine in 1932-33 (particularly in Ukraine).

Disadvantages

Industrialisation raised real wages for factory workers.
Skilled workers did the best because of the skills shortage.
Purges created vacancies "at the top".
Hours and wages were regulated.
Some had the benefit/access to factory canteens and sometimes factory shops.
Urban workers were given education, health, housing and benefits.
Women had more opportunities (42% industrial workers by 1945).
Peasants recieved a regular wage and could better themselves.
From 1935, they had their own private plots and could see in the market place.
Compulsory schooling for the first time in the countrysie brought a rise in literacy levels.

Evaluation

*found from AQA website)Overall, for the majority of peasants and workers in the 1930s, they suffered as a result of Stalin's economic policies, however, for some, mostly in urban areas, there were more beneficial regimes implemented which somewhat improved their quality of life.

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‘The quality of life for both workers and peasants suffered as a result of Stalin’s economic policies in the 1930s.’ Assess the validity of this view.

‘The quality of life for both workers and peasants suffered as a result of Stalin’s economic policies in the 1930s.’ Assess the validity of this view.

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Disadvantages

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‘The quality of life for both workers and peasants suffered as a result of Stalin’s economic policies in the 1930s.’ Assess the validity of this view.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Evaluation

Comments

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