History A-Level

What was the main reason Stalin introduced collectivisation and the five year plan? because it resulted in so many deaths in Russia.

Just copied and pasted this from my notes last year so hopefully this helps... I know it's more than one reason but you can form a judgement on the main reason. Sorry that there's a fair bit but hopefully it's useful

Stalin’s motives for collectivisation.
(Policy of creating larger agricultural units where the peasants would farm collectively rather than on individual farms).
*Control the peasants as had grown wary of government so grown less food, rather than grain requisitioning ‘farm requisitioning’.
*Promoted co-operation and common ownership, core values of socialism.
*Link with industry:
-Fear of invasion from foreign powers (Germany) = urgent need to industrialise= only possible if supported by an increase in agricultural productivity (army needs feeding at war!)
-New industries could also require technology from abroad so food surplus was needed to get foreign exchange.
-Labour also needed in new industrial centres =achieved in short term by mechanisation of agriculture= labourers released from countryside to work in industry.
* Economic factors:
-Agriculture was very inefficient compared with the rest of Europe.
-Resulting larger units to make the use of machinery more viable and cost-effective=food production increased=reduce labour requirements of agricultural production= release many much-needed workers.
*Political factors:
-Help to extend socialism to countryside/ get rid of remaining elements of capitalism = ensure survival of revolution.
-Opportunity to get rid of the kulaks (richer people who benefited from NEP).
*Allowed Stalin to rid the party leadership of the right who had been in favour of NEP= aimed at increasing his own position and power.
*Eliminated threats from inside and outside the party.

What was the case for rapid industrialisation? (implemented through the five year plans)
*Believed that the revolutionary transformation of society would only be achieved through industrialisation, (Marxist ideology).
*Majority of the population were peasants= only had a limited commitment to the regime- not proletariat!
*Disillusionment felt by many in the Party and working class towards the NEP.
*To harness the enthusiasm of many workers= build support.
*Fear of war- anti-Communist governments in Finland, Romania and Iran, both Britain (1927) and the right-wing polish government (1926) broke off relations with the USSR , Hitler’s anti-communist statements and in the 1920’s in was still producing less coal and oil than France= sense of isolation and vulnerability and industrialisation was seen as patriotic.
*Only hope to resisting a potential attack was through improving industrial capacity and strengthening the USSR= deter aggression and repel it if deterrence failed.
*To wrong-foot Stalin’s opponents- left Trotsky and Zinoviev with little that was distinctive about their beliefs (Stalin stole their idea?) and isolated Bukharin.
*By achieving industrialisation Stalin’s importance would also be comparable to that of Lenin.
*Stalin was responding from a strong pressure within the party as they saw it as a necessary development to ensure the survival of the revolution= would create more proletariats and get rid of Nepmen
*Would enable the government to direct the economy and ensure the adequate production and distribution of essential materials including the food needed to support industrial and urban growth= Russia’s economic resources maximised.
*Contrast with the west-Russia’s commitment to economic growth and full employment was a stark contrast to the west (after Wall Street Crash) which seemed to justify Russia’s claim that its ideology was superior to capitalism= gained support for industrialisation.