ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the major economic changes which have taken place during the post-World War II period. It discusses developments in the Estonian Soviet socialist republics; at times it is necessary to take note of trends in the Soviet Union as a whole, since the economies of the various republics are integral and planned components of the economy of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Agricultural research and education also became significant, and many of the postwar gains reflect the benefits of prewar policies. The speed of the postwar economic recovery was uneven in tempo, and it reflected priorities assigned in Moscow. Soviet economic data are difficult to evaluate because of the nature of the index numbers. The main characteristics of the present locational patterns of economic activities and industrial structure evolved during the decade of the 1950s. Economic development under Soviet rule has been rapid, especially in regard to industrialization.
