Collectivization in the Soviet Union

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.

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.