The Five Year Plans were like the Soviet Union's to-do list for boosting its economy and power. Sounds good, right? But let's see what it meant for the people living there.

• Increased Industrial Workers: The number of industrial workers grew by a whopping 38% between 1926 and 1933. This made cities and industries buzz with activity. Imagine if the number of gamers worldwide suddenly went up by 38% - that's a lot more players on Fortnite!
• Consumer Goods: Imagine wanting the latest iPhone, but it's never in stock. That was the issue in the USSR. The plans focused so much on heavy industries that everyday stuff was scarce. Hours spent in queues and high prices? Not fun.
• Living Standards Took a Dive: Alec Nove described the years from 1928 to 1933 as having the steepest drop in living conditions in recorded history. Picture this: even though things got a tad bit better post-1933, by 1937 people were still not living as well as they were in 1928.

• Crowded and Cramped Cities: More workers in cities = more cramped spaces. It's like squeezing into a small room with your entire extended family. Not cozy. Poorly built houses and limited sanitation added to the problem. So, think twice before complaining about Wi-Fi speeds!
• Crime and Violence: With such tough living conditions, crime became a big issue. Picture Gotham City without Batman.

State's Power Skyrocketed: The government's influence grew massive. They started controlling everything - where you live, what you eat, and even what you learn. It's like having overprotective parents, but on a nationwide scale.

Let's solidify your understanding!
Draw a mind map or table under the headings: Economic, Social, and Political. Fill in the impacts we've just discussed. It'll be like a cheat sheet for remembering everything.