Magnitogorsk Time, Forward - 1022 Words

During the post World War I era, many European countries were rebuilding, and the Soviet Union saw this as a chance to catch up. The Soviet Union, under Joseph Stalin’s rule, implemented the five-year plan as strategy for rapid industrialization (Hunt, 846). A great example of Stalin’s five-year plan was the construction of Magnitogorsk, a city based around a massive factory. This construction flawlessly captured Stalin’s goals for progression, efficiency, and conquering nature (back cover). The novel Time, Forward! took place in 1932 and described, in detail, the construction of Magnitogorsk. This novel hinted at the spirit of the times. In the novel, one of the engineers, Margulies, decided to push concrete pouring to its limits. His†¦show more content†¦Crew leaders would create ways to be more effective, so their crew would not be known as the least efficient crew. The leader of the bicycle crew, Ishchenko, and the leader of the tortoise crew, Khanu mov, came up with ways to increase efficiency later in the novel. Ishchenko’s idea of laying planks for faster cement transport, and Khanumov’s idea of automating the addition of water and cement to the mixer both increased the cement production (201, 269). Efficiency was an important factor to the spirit of the times because without it, The Soviet Union’s progress towards industrialization would be hindered. Lastly, the Soviet Union wanted to show its strength by conquering nature. In the novel, an American tourist said he believed nature conquers technique, but the Soviet, Nalbandov, said it would not always be like this. The novel used an airplane as an example, for it could not conquer the speed of sound. The Soviet believed that soon technique would overcome nature, and the plane would exceed the speed of sound (158). This showed the differing opinions on the spirit of the times. It depicted Americans as being more conservative and content with their positi on in the world, and depicted the Soviets as more progressive thinkers. The novel also portrayed that Soviets believed anything could be accomplished, and they would soon create ways to overcome nature’sShow MoreRelatedSoviet Union Demonstrated Stunning Industrial Growth1895 Words   |  8 Pagesproduction and technology. Lenin had fostered a dream of having the entirety of Russia lit up by electricity and modern means of communication in ten years. However, this was not just a dream of an advanced society: Lenin was sure that without this lurch forward to meet and contend with the competition of other countries, they would not last, and this was echoed by Stalin when he came into power; â€Å"We are fifty of a hundred years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this lag in ten years. EitherRead MoreStalins Five Year Plans Made Ussr Stronger. 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