Primary Source
Annotation
The 1980s posed many challenges for the everyday lives of the average citizens of East Europe countries, including daily difficulties created from shortages. Buying such necessities as food, clothing, and hygiene products was recurring obstacle to the average consumer. Food shortages were the result of declining agricultural production, which particularly plagued the Soviet Union. This chart reflects the widespread underproduction throughout the Soviet Republics. Only Ukraine, Belorussia, and Kazakhstan produced a surplus. The most populous republic, Russia, was dependent on imports of all food categories in order to reach subsistence level. While these statistics are from 1991, the CIA estimated that production was only a small percentage (5.4%) below its average throughout the 1980s. In other words, the Soviet Union never produced sufficient food to feed itself.
Central Intelligence Agency, Soviet Food Shortages, September 1991, Cold War International History Project.
Credits
Central Intelligence Agency, "The Republics of the Former USSR: The Outlook for the Next Year," September 1991, table 5, Cold War International History Project, Documents and Papers.
How to Cite This Source
"Soviet Food Shortages," in World History Commons, https://worldhistorycommons.org/soviet-food-shortages [accessed December 25, 2023]
As an expert in Cold War history and the economic challenges faced by the Soviet Union in the 1980s, I bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding to shed light on the primary source provided, which is a CIA document titled "Soviet Food Shortages" from September 1991. My expertise is rooted in extensive research and analysis of historical documents, economic trends, and the geopolitical landscape of the time.
The primary source in question highlights the significant challenges that citizens in East European countries faced during the 1980s, particularly in the Soviet Union. The evidence presented in the document emphasizes the everyday struggles of average citizens dealing with shortages, affecting essential aspects of their lives, including food, clothing, and hygiene products.
One of the key issues discussed is the recurring obstacle of food shortages, which stemmed from declining agricultural production. The Soviet Union, a major player in the region, faced widespread underproduction, leading to difficulties in meeting the food demands of its population. The chart provided in the document illustrates the extent of underproduction throughout the Soviet Republics. Notably, only Ukraine, Belorussia, and Kazakhstan managed to produce a surplus, while the most populous republic, Russia, had to rely on imports across all food categories to meet subsistence levels.
The document, dated 1991, also mentions that the CIA estimated that food production in the Soviet Union during the 1980s was only slightly below its average, with a 5.4% deficit. This statistic underscores the chronic nature of the food production problem, indicating that the Soviet Union consistently struggled to produce enough food to sustain its population throughout the 1980s.
The citation provided indicates that this primary source is part of the Cold War International History Project and can be found on World History Commons. This lends credibility to the information, as these platforms are reputable sources for historical documents and research.
In summary, the primary source "Soviet Food Shortages" provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by the Soviet Union in the 1980s, particularly regarding food shortages resulting from agricultural underproduction. The evidence presented in the document underscores the economic difficulties and daily obstacles experienced by the average citizens of East European countries during this period.
