During 1928-37 Soviet economic planners decided to deemphasize the industrial growth of the Ukraine and other western regions in favor of the all-out industrialization of a few underdeveloped areas in the east beyond the Ural Mountains. The repercussions of this decision have strongly influenced the course of economic development in individual regions and in the USSR as a whole since that time. Originally published 1971. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.