Unlimited capacity of the Russian people to endure the worst possible disaster and still struggle on
Every possible form of propaganda that the fight was worthwhile and would end in victory convinced the Russian people. Many aspects of censorship were relaxed allowing Russians more freedom to write and read than they had since the early years of the revolution
Stalin relaxed his attitude to the Orthodox Church- faith Holy Synod was reinstated and some training colleges for priests were reopened
Limits on the sizes of private plots of collective farmers were removed-> this encouraged food production
War production-> quickly organised the wholesale dismantling and removal of factories in western Russia to the Urals and beyond where they were at less risk of seizure by German forces-> over 10 million people evacuated from these areas. Production of tanks and planes exceeded figures in 1942 than in 1941. New weapons poured off production lines- T-34 tanks, Katyusha rockets and Yak fighter planes. Working hours extended to 12 hours and working week to 6 days. By 1943 war production was higher than in Germany.
Allied help-> over 400,000 lorries supplies by US, 14 million pairs of US boots
What were the results of the war for the USSR?
Russians endured unimaginable suffering.
Civilian deaths-> 19 million
Soldiers killed-> 9 million
Towns destroyed-> 1200
Villages destroyed-> 70,000
Railway destroyed-> 65,000kms
Hospitals destroyed-> 40,000
Kolkhozy wasted-> 100,000
What changes were made after the war in the USSR’s planned economy?
The targets of the fourth plan were concentrated on heavy industry and transport
The urban workforce increased from 67 to 77 million in immediate post-war period
Causalities of war meant recruitment of many more women
Working week remained at 6 days and 12 hours per day
Wage differentials were maintained, Stakhanovites were lauded in the press, targets were set and workers were transferred across the USSR
Rations were maintained long after the war
Harvest of 1945 produced less than 60% of pre-war harvests
1946 USSR hit by nation wide drought
Machinery looted from East Germany supplemented the resources of the USSR
Moscovitch cars were made in Moscow in what had