The Role of Five-Year Plans in the Pre-War USSR

Introduction. Introduced in 1928, five-year plans for the development of the USSR national economy, became a key instrument of the state economic policy. Studying the experience of Soviet planning enable modern economists and historians to analyze the effectiveness of various models of economic development. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of five-year plans on industrialization, social sphere, and living standards. Materials and Methods. The archival data of the USSR State Planning Committee, statistical reports, and memoirs of Soviet leaders are analyzed. The methods of historical analysis, comparative analysis and statistical processing of data are applied. The study covers both achievements and problems associated with the implementation of five-year plans, including disproportions in the development of industries and social consequences. Results. The analysis shows that five-year plans enabled the USSR to transform itself from an agrarian country into an industrial power in the shortest possible time. The first five-year plan (1928-1932) ensured the creation of new industrial centers such as Magnitogorsk and Kuzbass, and also gave impetus to the development of heavy industry. Discussion and Conclusion. The five-year plans accelerated industrial growth and strengthened the country's defense capability, especially in the pre-war and post-war years. However, excessive centralization and focus on quantitative indicators have led to economic imbalances, lower living standards and social tension. The five-year plans became an important experiment in state planning by having an impact on the Soviet economy and its place in world history. The materials of the article can be useful for further research and preparation for practical history classes for students of all levels of education.