Soviet Union’s Five-Year Plans

The Soviet Union’s Five-Year Plans were government-led efforts starting in 1928 to rapidly develop the economy through centralized planning. They set specific goals for industries like steel, coal, and agriculture, focusing on increasing production, modernizing infrastructure, and reducing reliance on imports. These plans aimed to transform the USSR from an agrarian society into a major industrial power. While they achieved significant industrial growth, they also often caused shortages, inefficiencies, and hardship for ordinary people due to rigid control and ambitious targets. The plans reflected the government's focus on rapid economic development aligned with socialist objectives.