How Did Stalin Affect The Soviet Union

Czar Nicholas was the real leader of Europe, until one day, Joseph Stalin took over. He was very brutal to the country, and the Soviet Union was unprepared for the extreme violence and oppression. Stalin used his brutality to achieve political arms. Everyone was so terrified of Stalin that they never stood up to him, in fear of what would happen to them if they did. Then, Stalin became scared of Russia, since they became a major part of the global market. Stalin felt that he had to push the Soviet Union into the Industrial Age, so he created the Five Year Plan. Stalin claimed that if rapid industrialization didn't take place, that the Soviet Union wouldn't be able to defend itself. He then aimed to expand industrial production. Many parts of the Soviet Union were backwards, and Stalin said that it meant they were defeated and enslaved. One of his known quotes was,"But if you are powerful, people must beware you.". Many people were scared of Stalin. It seemed that he would do whatever it took to get ahead in the economy, whether it meant hurting people or …show more content…
Stalin demanded 100% increase in coal production, 200% increase in iron production,and 335% increase in electric power. Stalin claimed that if rapid industrialization didn't take place soon, that the Soviet Union wouldn't be able to defend itself against an invasion from capitalist countries in the west. Then, people failed to reach the required target for production, they were publicly criticized and humiliated. Some of the workers just couldn't cope with the pressure of working. Absenteeism began to increase all over the Soviet Union. Records were then kept of all the workers' lateness, absenteeism, and bad workmanship. If a person's record was poor, they could be found guilty or accused in a court for sabotaging Stalin's Five Year Plan. They could be shot or sent to work as forced labour in the Baltic Sea Canal or the Siberian