Collectivization in the Soviet Union

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Questions and Answers

What was the main aim of collectivisation according to the content?

To empower individual farmers

To meet grain quotas and support industrialisation (correct)

To increase agricultural variety

To distribute land equally among peasants

What was the common type of collective farm known as?

Krumaz

Kolkhoz (correct)

Sovkhoz

Mirkhoz

How much grain were collective farms able to produce between 1928 and 1935?

Over 80 million tonnes

Less than 70 million tonnes

Around 75 million tonnes (correct)

An average of 65 million tonnes

What was a significant consequence of collectivisation in terms of the peasant population?

Mass dispossession and migration to towns Signup and view all the answers

What did C. Ward argue about the impact of collectivisation?

It destroyed the way of life of the peasants Signup and view all the answers

What year marked Stalin's announcement regarding the collectivisation of 25% of grain-producing areas?

1930 Signup and view all the answers

How did the state facilitate collective farming?

By supplying tractors and labour-saving devices Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the outcomes of collectivisation highlighted in the content?

Significant loss of life and altered ways of living Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason meat production did not meet pre-Collectivisation levels until after 1935?

Over reliance on private plots Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major social impacts of collectivisation amongst the peasantry?

Deportation of kulaks to Siberia Signup and view all the answers

How did peasants generally react to the collectivisation process?

They rioted and burned crops or tools Signup and view all the answers

What effect did collectivisation ultimately have on grain production in 1931?

State collected high amounts of grain despite lower production Signup and view all the answers

What were some farmers accused of due to their social status during collectivisation?

Being class enemies Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of peasants being coerced into joining kolkhozes?

High levels of peasant dissatisfaction and resistance Signup and view all the answers

What happened as a result of high grain procurement targets in Ukraine?

Famine in parts of Ukraine Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the final actions taken by Stalin due to peasant resistance?

He declared a cessation of coercion and a return to voluntary principles Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction

Millions of people died and their lives irrevocably changed due to collectivization.

Background

In 1929, less than 5% of peasants were on collective farms.
Collective farms were introduced to boost efficiency and free up workers for factories.
January 1930: Stalin announced 25% of grain-producing areas would be collectivized by year-end, surprising even his officials.
Factors like the 1928-29 grain crisis led Stalin to believe peasants controlled the Soviet economy and needed to be controlled.

Historiography

Historians largely agree collectivization was highly negative.
C. Ward: Collectivization destroyed peasant lifestyles.
Robert Conquest: Collectivization was used to undermine the peasantry.

Economic Impact

Collective farms aimed to meet grain quotas and support industrialization.
Kolkhozes (common collective farm type) pooled land, tools, and animals.
Peasants had small private plots.
The state collected grain for workforce and industrial equipment.
Displaced peasants provided labor in growing cities.
Negative impacts:
- Collectivization did not restore pre-1914 agricultural output until the mid-1950s.
- Grain production between 1928 and 1935 never exceeded 75 million tons (compared to 80.1 million tons in 1913).

Social/Political Impact

Collectivization aimed to eliminate resistance, specifically targeting Kulaks (wealthy farmers) as enemies.
Fear and propaganda were used to force peasants into joining kolkhozes, often ignoring family ties.
Peasants were reluctant to identify kulaks, who were often skilled farmers vital to grain targets.
Stalin sent urban party activists, supported by the OGPU and military, to root out kulaks.
Up to 10 million kulaks were deported to Siberia.
Poorer peasants denounced their neighbors to gain access to their animals and equipment.
Resistance tactics included riots, burning crops, stealing livestock, and slaughtering animals.

Famine

Grain collection targets and collectivization chaos led to grain shortages (particularly in Ukraine) and famine.
Grain production dropped drastically.
By 1932, Ukraine faced severe famine, exacerbated by high grain procurement quotas that overwhelmed the system.
State grain collection reached 22.8 million tons in 1931 despite production decline.

Conclusion

Robert Conquest equated the 1932-1934 famine deaths with genocide.
Collectivization led to millions of deaths and severe negative economic, social, and political consequences.

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Description

Explore the key events and impacts of collectivization in the Soviet Union during the late 1920s and 1930s. This quiz delves into the policies of Stalin, the changes in peasant lifestyles, and the overall economic repercussions. Test your knowledge on the historical evaluation and the consequences faced by millions.