Discuss political and economic developments in the Soviet Union between 1945 and 1953.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of political and economic developments in the Soviet Union between 1945 and 1953. Candidates may address the question chronologically or thematically, dealing with politics and the economy, where appropriate, separately. There may be some imbalance between political and economic developments; however, both aspects must be a feature of the response. Policies discussed may include the Five-Year Plan, atomic arms development, the Doctor’s Plot, the Leningrad Affair and post-war reconstruction. There was economic recovery in terms of industrial production, but agriculture remained underproductive and was severely affected by theories such as Lysenkoism. Some candidates may conclude that there was little change politically, as Stalin remained unchallenged in power, and that the political atmosphere was similar to the period of the purges.