Negative features of Khrushchev's policies. Khrushchev's economic policy pros and cons plz

1. Exposure of Stalin's personality cult. Rehabilitation of hundreds of thousands of illegally repressed people. Relative democratization of society.

2. Adoption of the “Peace Program”, the main thesis of which is the prevention of war between states with different social systems.

3. Conclusion of the Treaty banning nuclear tests in three areas: atmosphere, space and under water.

4. Reduction Armed Forces USSR by one third (1.2 million people) and a reduction in exorbitant military spending.

5. Pension reform, affecting tens of millions of citizens. Under Khrushchev, for the first time it was possible to live on a pension.

6. Agricultural reform: collective farmers, who were practically in the position of serfs, began to receive guaranteed cash payment for their work. They were given passports and allowed to move to other collective farms and go to the city.

7. Mass housing construction. For example, in 1956, the pace of construction in Moscow outpaced the rate of population growth.

8. The USSR has achieved major achievements in the field of science and technology. First in the world nuclear power plant(1954), the first satellite (1957), the first cosmonaut (1961).

9. 30 million hectares of virgin lands have been developed.

10. The “Iron Curtain” opened slightly, cultural exchange with foreign countries. Soviet people slowly began to travel abroad.

Minuses

1. Shooting of a workers’ demonstration in Novocherkassk (1962). It is believed that 26 people were killed, 58 were injured, 7 were sentenced to death.

2. Khrushchev did not resist exaltation self. If in 1963 His portrait was published in central newspapers 120 times, then in less than 1964 - more than 140!

3. Promised that “the current generation Soviet people will live under communism." And he didn’t fulfill it...

4. As a result of ill-conceived military reform great amount officers were left without work, housing and civilian profession.

5. He promised to “catch up and overtake America” in the production of meat, milk and butter per capita in a few years. And he didn’t fulfill it...

6. Since 1963, regular purchases of grain abroad began.

7. Khrushchev pursued a policy of preventing the keeping of livestock in the personal property of citizens, which is why millions of livestock died.

8. Under him, the Berlin Wall was built (1961), which became a symbol of the confrontation between socialism and capitalism.

9. Widespread cultivation of corn, regardless of nature. “In all regions and territories of the Union,” asserted a poem popular under Khrushchev, “corn can produce a harvest.”

10. The fight against “unhealthy phenomena in art” using administrative and state methods (from party committees to bulldozers).

After the death of Stalin, the new leadership of the USSR in the person of Khrushchev faced the need to reform the country in the field of agriculture and industry, primarily since these sectors were vitally important and were gaining momentum after the end of the war. In this article we will evaluate the economic management reform undertaken by Khrushchev, and also show its positive and negative aspects.

Malenkov's economic program

In 1953, Georgy Maksimovich Malenkov, who held the position of Chairman of the Council of Ministers, for the first time said that the country needed economic transformations. In his vision it was necessary to emphasize agriculture and light industry. Industry reform was supposed to lead to the fact that within 3 years the country had to provide all citizens with essential goods.

Agricultural changes included improvements in land cultivation technologies to increase yields, as well as reductions in taxes that peasants pay for the right to use land. The proposals were enthusiastically received by the people, but Malenkov was very quickly removed from office, and Khrushchev undertook economic management reform. And it turned out to be extremely controversial.

Reforming agriculture under Khrushchev

Agriculture is a key aspect in both Khrushchev’s reforms and Malinkov’s ideas. But you need to understand that there was a huge difference between them. Contemporaries call Malinkov's program intensive, and Khrushchev's extensive.

The intensive path of agricultural development involved achieving an increase in the productivity of current fertile soils. An extensive development path based on the constant expansion of cultivated lands. With Khrushchev's victory, the USSR began implementing an extensive plan, but by 1965 it became obvious that this experiment had failed, and agriculture was in terrible decline.

Historical reference

Malenkov spoke about quality, and Khrushchev about quantity. And if locally the quality gave certain results, then at the 10-year stage, failure followed. To understand the essence, I will cite the first five-year plans under Stalin. First, they built enterprises (quantitative approach), then they began to attract qualified personnel and improve the knowledge of workers (qualitative approach). Exactly the same process should have occurred in agriculture - first the expansion of land (quantitative approach), and then the creation of technologies for its processing and growing crops (qualitative approach). But the reform of economic management in general and agriculture in particular missed the second stage. That's why Stalin's five-year plans were given positive result, and Khrushchev’s reforms are negative. But the time interval is identical...

Major reforms in 1953-1958:

• In 1954, the foundation of virgin lands begins. In total, 42 million hectares of new land were developed.
• Reducing taxes for collective farms, as well as writing off previous debts.
• Taxes have been reduced subsidiary farm
• Allowed to increase subsidiary farming by 5 times
• Collective farms are equipped with the equipment and tools necessary for their work.

Development of virgin lands

Khrushchev's economic reform in agriculture largely began with the development of virgin lands, which began in 1954. New lands for development were selected in Kazakhstan and Western Siberia. Initially this is not the best place for agriculture, but nevertheless, thanks to the fact that more than 150 thousand people were involved in the work, already in 1958 it was possible to develop 42 million hectares of new land. Among the people recruited for work were party officials, specialists, and prisoners.

Interesting fact– Brezhnev was supposed to lead the development of virgin lands. Why him? Leonid Ilyich was an old friend of Khrushchev, who in every possible way promoted his friend to leading roles.

Historical reference

To understand the essence of the development of virgin lands, I suggest you pay attention to the table that shows the Gross grain harvest in the USSR.

What does this mean? Even a quick glance at these figures shows that Khrushchev’s extensive path was extremely ineffective and here’s why:

• The development of virgin lands began in 1953/4. Therefore, the sharp increase in grain harvested in these areas by almost 25,000 thousand tons is understandable. At the same time, the total grain harvest in the USSR increased by 30,000 thousand tons. That is, there was a positive dynamic for the whole country.
• The period from 159 to 1963 showed an increase in grain collection in virgin lands by almost 6,000 tons, while the increase in the country as a whole was just over 14,000 thousand tons. That is, the proportion broke down and virgin lands were ineffective. This was the main mistake of Khrushchev’s economic reform in agriculture - it was necessary not to pay more attention to quality existing lands, and not to focus on new arable lands in Siberia and Kazakhstan, which could not compare in quality with the black soil of the southern regions.

Administrative decisions in collective farms (villages)

Some of the main measures to support collective farms in initial stage steel reforms: cancellation of previous debts and increase in purchase prices. Now the state guaranteed higher prices for the purchase of agricultural products.

A big step forward was the permission for peasants to have subsidiary farming. Let me remind you that before the Khrushchev era there could be subsidiary plots, but only very small ones, and a tax had to be paid for their presence.

This, coupled with the development of new lands, led to an unprecedented increase in agricultural production, which grew by 34% between 1953 and 1958. This was a great leap in development, which could only be compared with the early stages of the NEP.

Amazing fact, but both dubious reforms (NEP and Khrushchev’s reforms) gave unprecedented growth in agriculture in the short term. But in the medium term (10 years), both of these policies led to dire consequences- head.

Historical reference

At the beginning of agricultural reforms, administrative methods of influence were placed at the forefront. This led to the following results just a few years after the start of the reform:

• Increase in the welfare of peasants. The result was good, but the Party Central Committee revealed dissatisfaction that “kulaks” could appear in the village again.
• The economic growth of villages minimized the need for administrative influence.

As a result, starting from 1959, the reform of agricultural management changed its essence - now it was not economic performance indicators that were pursued, but exclusively administrative pressure from above to force peasants to do what was considered correct in the party.

Failure of agricultural reform

Until 1959, reform in agriculture was going well, without any exaggeration. But what Khrushchev arranged after that is beyond comprehension, and is the clearest example how incompetence of management, as well as the desire to control all people, can ruin any positive endeavors.

The seven-year agricultural development plan (1959-1965) began with the reorganization of MTS (machine and tractor stations). More precisely, MTS was simply closed, and the collective farms were offered to buy the equipment. In fact, the ransom was mandatory because machinery was needed to cultivate the land. But the state inflated the price and demanded full payment within 1 year. This was the first blow to the finances of collective farms.

The next blow was dealt to private farms. If in the previous 5 years it was allowed to increase 5 times, but from the beginning of the 1960s, subsidiary farming became practically illegal. He was again returned to the old frame. Control economic reforms under Khrushchev, it was said that peasants should work on collective farms, and not on their own fields. As a result, officials received an order to buy back all the livestock on private farms within 3 years.

In addition to these steps, the leadership of the USSR took others:

• Creation of large agricultural farms. Collective farms were united and enlarged.
• Increase in prices for meat (by 30%), for butter (by 25%).
• Increasing the area under corn.

If you ask what people know about the Khrushchev era, most will say that they planted corn. And they will be right. It is unclear where the Secretary of the Central Committee got this mania from. But it is clear, friend, that the increase in the area sown with corn was artificial and was carried out at the expense of a reduction in the area sown with wheat and rye. As a result, a deep agricultural crisis occurred in the USSR. For the first time in long years grain began to be purchased abroad! As a result, the economic management reform undertaken by Khrushchev in agriculture failed.

Development of industry under Khrushchev

One of the most important problems in the development of industry in the Khrushchev era was that by the end of 1959, the share of production of objects of group “A” (means of production) was 75%. On the one hand, this emphasizes the country's focus on industrial development (in 1953, for example, this figure was 70%), but on the other hand it was very dangerous. The danger is that the share of enterprises in group “B” (personal consumption items) practically did not work.

In the post-war era of Stalin, annual industrial growth exceeded 10%. Khrushchev and his team believed that it was realistic to maintain these numbers; it was only necessary to build new enterprises. This is what they did everywhere - they opened new factories and factories, although they publicly said that they would develop the economy thanks to scientific and technological progress. But this progress was applied only in the military sphere.

Reforming national economic management

The economic management reform in industry undertaken by Khrushchev also affected management. In 1957, the Ministries were abolished, and their place was taken by regional line ministries. They are today known as Sovnarkhoz (Soviets) National economy). As a result, there was a partial decentralization of the economy, with the transfer of powers to the regions. This included positive points, but the cons outweighed:

• Connections between regions of the country and sectors of the economy are disrupted
• The technical concept of production is violated
• The reform had no potential for growth
• Enterprises did not gain economic freedom.

These problems quickly became apparent to the leadership of the USSR, and Khrushchev's economic reform moved to the next stage of smoothing out negative consequences. In particular, the Economic Councils moved from the regional to the republican level (in fact, they returned to the ministries). After this, a plan was announced for 1959-1965 for a qualitative leap in the economy.

Industry growth rate

A key indicator of economic development is the rate of industrial growth. And this figure was inexorable for Khrushchev’s leadership - the pace was falling, and quite quickly. Below is a table, after considering which you yourself will evaluate the economic management reform undertaken by Khrushchev in terms of industry and agriculture.

Table – economic growth rates.

The growth rate of industry decreased regularly, and in the period 1961-19165 both industry and agriculture literally failed. It became obvious that the economic management reform had failed in terms of industry, although in general industrial society had already been formed in the USSR.

Social policy under Khrushchev

Economic policy Khrushchev focused on social policy. But failures in agriculture also led to uprisings. The most widespread of these was the uprising in Novocherkassk in 1962, which was suppressed by the army and tanks. But in general, several things were done during this period important changes:

• Collective farmers were given passports. Let me remind you that until 1960, people in rural areas did not have passports!
• In 1964, a pension was established for collective farmers. It didn't exist before!
• Collective farmers were guaranteed wages, which became fixed.
• Increase in salaries by 19%
• Reduction of the working day to 46 hours (in production).
• Housing growth (everyone knows the apartments called “Khrushchevka”). During this period, 54 million people received new apartments.

Khrushchev's economic policy had its positive aspects, but globally for the country this time became a time of great failure. The industry worked, but it became obvious that there were absolutely not enough enterprises of group “B”. In agriculture, they have experimented to the point that for the first time since civil war grain began to be purchased abroad. The increase in prices led to numerous uprisings (obviously they are not talked about much, but they happened). Therefore, Khrushchev’s activities were more likely negative for the USSR than positive. It was from here that the processes that resulted in perestroika began. And the worst thing is that Khrushchev transferred power to his like-minded person and disciple - Brezhnev, who happily continued what he started. To be fair, it should be noted that here the student significantly surpassed the teacher.

I believe that we have made a full assessment of the economic management undertaken by Khrushchev during his reign.

Agrarian reform - Khrushchev's reforms:

1) Collective and state farms received loans and new equipment;

2) From the mid-50s, a new stage in the strengthening of collective farms began. Many of which were converted into state farms;

3) In March 1958, MTS was liquidated, which undermined the economy of collective farms; having no choice, they bought cars and immediately found themselves in a difficult financial situation;

4) Widespread introduction of corn;

5) In 1954, the development of virgin lands began;

6) The peasants were freed from excess income.

Military reform- Khrushchev's reforms:

1) The Soviet Army and Navy were rearmed with nuclear missile weapons;

2) the USSR reached parity with the United States in terms of military strength;

3) Ideas for a policy of peaceful coexistence of states with different social systems were considered. It was concluded that it was possible to prevent war.

Social reform- Khrushchev's reforms:

1) The law on pensions was adopted;

2) The continuation of maternity leave for women has increased;

3) Tuition fees in high schools and universities are canceled;

4) Compulsory eight-year education in schools is introduced;

5) Workers were transferred to a six- and seven-hour working day;

6) Housing construction based on industrial methods is being widely developed;

7) The rights of the union republics are expanded;

8) The rights of peoples repressed during the war are being restored: Chechens, Ingush, Karachais, Kalmyks.

Management reform- Khrushchev's reforms:

1) The economic rights of the union republics were expanded by transferring issues that were previously resolved at the center;

2) The administrative staff has been reduced;

3) Line ministries were abolished;

4) The country is divided into 105 economic regions;

5) Economic councils were created.

School reform- Khrushchev's reforms:

1) The secondary school became unified and monotonous;

2) Everyone who wanted to receive a complete secondary education had to study either in a secondary polytechnic school, or in a secondary vocational school, or in evening and correspondence schools;

3) Interest in humanitarian subjects has fallen.

Political reforms

Having come to power, Khrushchev carried out a number of political reforms:

– subordinated the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the KGB to local party bodies;

– stopped repressions, reviewed cases, rehabilitated prisoners, changed the Gulag system;

- At the 20th Party Congress in February 1956, he made a report on Stalin’s cult of personality.

As a result of these reforms, he managed to remove Stalin's supporters from the party bureaucracy and bring his own adherents into their places.

Economic reforms

A) Agriculture. Stalin's policies greatly strengthened heavy industry and ruined agriculture. Khrushchev decided to strengthen the village. For this:

– taxes were reduced;

– increased financial support;

– the development of virgin lands in Northern Kazakhstan has begun.

B) Industry.

Due to the construction of nuclear and large hydroelectric power plants, the capacity of the USSR energy system was increased, the electrification of the country was completed, and the sale of electricity abroad began. Enterprises began to re-equip with new equipment.

B) Bureaucracy. Khrushchev began all reforms with changes in management systems. The goal of the reforms was to make the management system more efficient.

Consequences of Khrushchev's reforms

Khrushchev considered the main task of all reforms carried out in the country to be the accelerated development of the economy in order to overtake the growth rate of the US economy. Due to incorrectly set tasks, the wrong methods were chosen (the engine of reform was the bureaucracy, whose position was very unstable). Reforms were carried out in a hurry and did not have a clear organization. The bureaucracy was not materially interested in reforms and worked for the sake of reports. Therefore, all reforms were unsuccessful. As a result, by the mid-1960s:

- crisis in agriculture deepened;

- a crisis began in industry;

– the bureaucracy stopped supporting Khrushchev;

– due to food shortages and the introduction of rationing cards, unrest began in the country.

After Stalin's death in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev suddenly found himself in power. For a long time Lavrentiy Beria applied for the position of General Secretary, but Khrushchev and his associates managed to carry out a party purge in time and remove the obvious candidate from all positions.

Khrushchev's period in power is called a time of thaw and unexpected government reforms. Nikita Sergeevich’s actions in power were not consistent, which led to a crisis in the economy and his removal from office. What were the main reforms that Khrushchev managed to carry out, and is it possible to highlight their advantages and disadvantages?

Advantages and disadvantages of Khrushchev's reforms

The results of Khrushchev's reform actions

What conclusions can be drawn regarding the reforms carried out by Khrushchev? During his years in power, Nikita Sergeevich repeatedly changed his policy line. And if the first years of his reign were invariably called the “thaw,” then by the beginning of the 60s, the USSR found itself in the epicenter of the largest political crisis in the last 20 years.

Similar inconsistency was observed throughout. Many reforms were not completed, and some of them, for example, the dispelling of the cult of Stalin, were based on Khrushchev’s personal attitude to politics and economics.

By the beginning of the 60s, the USSR found itself in a deep economic crisis, which could also be explained by the inconsistency of reforms. Khrushchev wanted to preserve the socialist model of power, but at the same time bring the country closer to the democratic norms of the West.

Outrage at the illogicality of the policy was heard both from the outside ordinary people, and from party members. It was not without reason that Khrushchev was removed from office, realizing that he would not be able to lead the USSR into a happy future. However, the change from Khrushchev to Brezhnev did not lead to the desired results, and the country faced an economic and social crisis.