Which aspect of the economy was emphasized in Stalin's five-year plans?

• A. Heavy industry
• B. Light industry
• C. Service sector
• D. Agriculture

Answer: (A)

Five-year plans aimed to rapidly industrialize the Soviet economy, and the emphasis was on heavy industry—steel, coal, iron, machine-building, and power generation. This focus was chosen because a strong industrial base was seen as essential for self-sufficiency, military strength, and rapid modernization to catch up with Western powers. Building factories, mines, and railway capacity under central planning created the productive core needed for future growth. Agriculture was pushed through collectivization to feed urban workers and fund investment, but it was not the primary objective of the plan. Light industry and the service sector were secondary priorities in these early drives, while laying down heavy industrial capacity came first to transform the economy.