There was command-administrative economic system in USSR. Prices were calculated and fixed by administration.
Growth of economic sometimes led to recalculation of prices to lower values.
'волненья' is for 'disturbance/riot/worries' here. It can be act of riot or just feeling of 'political anxiety' in society. Second meaning is implied here. You translation of first line is correct, but I do not remember proper english term right now.
За прекрасное “завтра” державы. = 'because State promised beautiful "tomorrow"'
It's a little bit tricky collocation. 'in exchange for State's beautiful "tomorrow"' literally.
I couldn't have hoped for a better explanation! All is clear now. Thank you very much!
Originally Posted by Полуношник
No, it isn't. "Волноваться за будущее" means "to worry about the future". "Волнение снижалось" - "they worried less".
Prices were very high during World War II, and after the war they were gradually decreasing.
Thank you! I think "political anxiety" is a good one as Alex80 suggested, isn't it?