The Five Year Plans developed the Soviet Union's industrial sector.
the 1st 5YP introduced in 1928 called for the development of infrastructure, specifically that in heavy industry...so dams, railroads, electricity etc.
According to Stalin, it was so successful that after 4 years and 4 months he stopped it saying Russia was ready for the next area of development. (half way through 1933)
The 2nd 5YP introduced in 1933 called for the further development of infrastructure and heavy industry, but also began production of consumer goods to pay back the proletariat for all the work that they were doing. After 5 years Stalin closed this plan calling it a sucess (whether or not it actually achieved its purpose is debated)
The 3rd 5YP was initially going to move into light industry and consumer good production, but the tensions of WWII were building and Stalin began to develop the armament sector. - the war began in 1941
All of Russian industry on the west side of the Ural mountains were reduced and transported back to Siberia. There they were rebuilt and began to produce munitions for the war effort.
Was the FYP a success?
Disputable. Economically, it industrialised Russia. The focus was as some historians call it a 'Command economy' rather than a 'planned economy' where GOSPLAN did not plan economic development than Stalin set the agenda for economic devleopment and the plan changed when he wanted it to change. One historian (David Christian) argues that Russia was able to mobilise significant amounts of resources to achieve its economic goals, but was not able to use it efficiently or even effectively. One problem to be considered is that many of the experiance people (managers etc) were killed in the purges.
Socially, the FYP were a disaster for Russia. The standards of living enjoyed by the Russian people during this time were minimal. In some areas, even the basics were not provided to these people. Furthermore, the proletariat were pushed to extremes to fit their quotas. If they didnt, they were labelled Mensheviks and sent to gulags. The human costs of the FYP were enormous.
You know, while the FYP allowed Russia to effectively fight the war against Nazi Germany, was it worth the lives of millions of russian people?
