1. To turn the Soviet Union into a modern world power. (Self-sufficient and militarily strong socialist state)
2. To demonstrate the superiority of communism over capitalism (Western powers) by proving that a modern USSR could out produce the leading capitalist nations.
3. To improve the living standards of all Soviet citizens. In order to feed the population, Stalin required the soviet agricultural sector of the economy to be more efficient. He hoped to achieve this through the introduction of new methods of production especially through the increased use of machinery, mainly tractors.