An economic change introduced in the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin would include

Joseph Stalin implemented several economic changes in the Soviet Union during his leadership, particularly during the period known as the First Five-Year Plan (1928-1932) and subsequent plans. One of the key economic changes introduced by Stalin was the policy of rapid industrialization and collectivization. Here are some of the major economic changes under Stalin:

1. First Five-Year Plan (1928-1932): Stalin launched the First Five-Year Plan with the goal of rapidly industrializing the Soviet Union. The plan set ambitious targets for the development of heavy industry, such as coal, steel, and machinery production. It involved massive state investment, the mobilization of resources, and the construction of industrial complexes, factories, and infrastructure.
2. Collectivization of Agriculture: Stalin introduced a policy of collectivization in the agricultural sector. This involved consolidating small individual farms into large collective farms (kolkhozy) and state farms (sovkhozy). The aim was to increase agricultural productivity and ensure a stable food supply for the growing urban population. However, the implementation of collectivization was often coercive and met with resistance from peasants, leading to widespread disruptions and famines.
3. Central Planning and Command Economy: Stalin strengthened central planning and moved towards a command economy. The state, through centralized planning agencies like Gosplan, took direct control over economic decisions, resource allocation, and production targets. The centralization of economic planning allowed the government to set priorities, allocate resources, and control economic activities at a national level.
4. Labor Camps and Forced Labor: Stalin's regime utilized forced labor as a means of achieving economic goals. The Soviet government established a network of labor camps, known as the Gulag, where political prisoners, perceived enemies of the state, and common criminals were forced to work under harsh conditions. This system contributed to the completion of major construction projects and industrial initiatives.
5. Heavy Industrial Focus: Stalin's economic policies emphasized the development of heavy industry over consumer goods. This focus aimed to build a strong industrial base and create a self-sufficient economy capable of withstanding external pressures.
6. Suppression of Private Enterprise: Stalin pursued the elimination of private enterprise and the establishment of state control over all major industries. Private businesses were either nationalized or brought under strict state supervision, further consolidating economic power in the hands of the state.