In 1946, the Soviet Union ushered in the difficult years after World War II, when drought reduced food production and plunged the entire country into deep distress. This article will delve into the food crisis in the Soviet Union during this period, and analyze it from multiple perspectives such as drought, international relations, and the ills of the planned economy.
1.The effects of drought and the aftermath of the war.
Severe droughts occurred in the black soil areas of the Soviet Union, Ukraine, Moldavia, non-black soil areas, and the middle and lower reaches of the Volga River, among which the most serious disaster occurred in the black soil areas. After World War II, the impact of drought was further magnified by the shortage of agricultural populations. According to Soviet statistics, in 1946 the country's cereal production was 7.7 million tons less than in 1945, and in 1947 it was an astonishing 20 million tons less than in 1940.
2.Unfavourables in the international environment.
At that time, the external environment in the USSR was no less unfavorable. With the death of Roosevelt in the United States, Truman, who succeeded him, conspired with former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill against the Soviet Union, and even delivered the famous "Iron Curtain Speech" in 1946, which caused a sharp deterioration in relations between the Soviet Union and the United States and Britain. In the context of the Cold War, the possibility of the Soviet Union asking Britain and the United States for help was slim. At the same time, due to the post-war waste, the Soviet Union could only exchange grain exports for foreign currency, which could then be used to buy much-needed industrial equipment. This process further exacerbated the food woes of the Soviet Union, which exported 5.7 million tons of grain between 1946 and 1948.
3.The ills of the planned economy.
The most speechless thing is that due to the negligent management of grain storage facilities, according to Soviet statistics, 1 million tons of grain were wasted from 1946 to 1948. This also reflects one of the ills of the Soviet-style planned economy.
4.Life was difficult for the Soviet people.
In order to cope with the reduction in grain production, the Soviet Union set a daily ration of 200 grams of bread per person. Obviously, such a ration is difficult to meet people's basic needs. Even Chinese students, who enjoyed preferential treatment as international students, had only 150 grams more rations than the average Soviets, reaching 350 grams. Ordinary Soviets could make ends meet by growing vegetables and fruits, but Chinese students in the Soviet Union did not have such conditions, so they fell into an even worse situation of hunger.
5.Aid and improvement of the motherland.
In this difficult time, Chinese students have received assistance from their motherland. Chen Zutao, a Chinese student, recalls that when they were in the Soviet Union, their difficult situation attracted domestic attention. Cai Chang passed by Moscow when he attended the World Conference on Women, and felt distressed after seeing the plight of the international students. After returning to China, she reported to ** about the plight of international students in the Soviet Union. **In order to allow international students to study Xi with peace of mind, corresponding measures have been taken, and a batch of ** has been brought to international students through Cai Chang to improve their living conditions. At the request of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union also sent a complete set of clean clothes to the students, so that these originally tattered students could look new from head to toe.
Epilogue. The food crisis in the USSR in 1946 had a profound effect on society as a whole. In difficult times, Chinese students have received support from the motherland, which is not only material assistance, but also spiritual comfort. Reduced grain production, international pressure, and the ills of the planned economy, the Soviet Union faced many problems during this period, but through domestic and foreign efforts, it also survived this difficult period, showing the resilience of the country and the unity of the people.
The Soviet Food Crisis: The Glory of Humanity in a Difficult Situation.
The article vividly depicts the severe food crisis faced by the Soviet Union in 1946 and profoundly shows the ordeal experienced by the country and people at that time. The Soviet Union during this period was not only afflicted by natural disasters, but also deeply felt the indifference of international politics. Many of the factors mentioned in the article, such as drought, international relations, and the ills of the planned economy, all contributed to the difficulties of the Soviet people at that time.
First, the severity of the drought has exacerbated the already scarred war-torn country. In particular, the ** Black Soil Region, as the main granary of the USSR, suffered a huge blow. This is reminiscent of a "disaster within a disaster", when natural disasters and the aftermath of war are intertwined to create a relentless humanitarian disaster.
Second, tensions in international relations also put the Soviet Union in an even more difficult situation. The anti-Soviet posture of the United States and Britain and the rhetoric of the "Iron Curtain Speech" made the Soviet Union isolated and helpless in the international arena. Under such circumstances, the Soviet Union had to seek foreign exchange through grain exports, which further deepened the domestic food crisis. This shows the huge impact of international politics in the context of the Cold War on a country's food security at that time.
The ills of the planned economy mentioned in the article are also a key factor in food waste. One million tons of grain rotted in vain during storage, revealing the loopholes in the management system of the planned economy. It also reminds us that even in a collectivist system, scientific and effective management is still crucial, otherwise even the best plan will become unrecognizable.
The most touching thing about the article is that Chinese students received assistance from their homeland at a difficult time in the Soviet Union. The motherland not only provides material support, but also conveys warm care for international students through various means. This is not only the embodiment of the state's responsibility to citizens, but also the brilliance of human nature. The international students have rediscovered hope in life under the care of their motherland, and this assistance has also deepened the relationship between the two peoples.
Taken together, this history tells us that in the face of difficulties, mutual support between the state and the people is the source of strength to overcome all difficulties. Whether it's a natural disaster or international political pressure, the brilliance of humanity always shines through in the darkest moments. The story of the food crisis in the Soviet Union is not only a witness to history, but also a profound commentary on the goodness of human nature. Perhaps it is this kindness that allows the Soviet people to find hope in despair, and allows international students to feel the warmth of the motherland in a foreign country.
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