What are some of the greatest strengths and weaknesses of centralized Soviet-style planning between 1917 and 1991? How were Ukraine and Belarus impacted? Why did the system ultimately fail?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The greatest strength was the progress the Soviet Union made as compared to its predecessor,
the Russian Empire, in terms of centralized control and territorial expansion. Also, citizens of
the region gained access to education, housing, health care and other opportunities not
available during tsarist Russia. However, there were many problems, not least of which were
practices of widespread repression and imprisonment and an overall lack of religious and
political freedoms. Mismanagement within the centrally planned economy contributed also to
widespread environmental degradation and a decaying economy. Belarus and Ukraine became
union republics under this system, but lost autonomy and experienced "Russification." The
Soviet Union collapsed for several reasons, including the growing sense of nationalism
evidence by the union republics; a costly and failed war in Afghanistan; and the promotion of
perestroika and glasnost by Gorbachev. Declining economic conditions, and widespread food
shortages, contributed to the collapse.