Stalinism and Collectivisation

Stalinism and Collectivization: The period of the early planned economy was linked to the disasters of the collectivization of agriculture. Joseph Stalin became the leader of the Soviet Communist Party after the death of Lenin in January 1924. By 1927-1928, the towns in Russia were facing an acute problem of grain supplies.

The government fixed prices of grains, but the peasants refused to sell their grain to government buyers at these prices. Stalin believed that rich peasants and traders in the countryside were holding stocks in the hope of higher prices. So, Stalin introduced the collectivization of Soviet agriculture. It brought the great majority of peasants into collective and state farms. In 1928, party members toured the grain producing areas, supervising enforced grain collections and raiding the Kulaks. After 1917, land had been handed over to the peasants. For the development of modern farms, it was necessary to eliminate Kulaks, take away land from peasants and establish large state-controlled farms.

Stalin’s Policies: From 1929, the Communist Party forced all peasants to cultivate in collective farms (Kolkhoz). Peasants worked on lands and the profit of the collective farms was shared among them. Those who opposed the collectivization were severely punished; many were deported and exiled. Many peasants did not want to work in collective farms for a variety of reasons. Stalin’s government allowed some independent cultivation, but treated such cultivators unsympathetically. But the production did not increase immediately. The bad harvests of 1930-1933 led to one of the most devastating famines in Soviet history in which over 4 million died. Those who criticised Stalin’s policies were charged with conspiracy against socialism. By 1939, over 2 million were imprisoned or sent to labour camps. A large number of people including talented professionals were forced to make false confessions un.der torture and executed.

Opposition to collectivisation and the government response

From the second half of the February of this year , in various regions of Ukraine mass insurrections of the peasantry have taken place , caused by distortions of the party's line by a section of the lower ranks of the party and the soviet apparatus in the course of the introduction of collectivisation and prepartory work for the spring harvest.

within a short time, large scale activities from the above- mentioned regions carried over into neighburing areas - and the most aggressive insurrections have taken place near the border.

The greatest part of the peasants insurrections have been linked with outright demands for the return of collectivised stocks of grain, livestock and tools. Between 1st February and the 15 th March , 25000 have been arrested 656 have been executed 3673 have been imprisoned in labour camps and 5580 exiled

Report of K.M. Karlson, president of the state police administration of the Ukraine to the central committee of the communist party, on 19 March 1930.

Chapters

Pastoralists in The Modern World I

The Story of Cricket II

The Story of Cricket I

Clothing A Social History

World History

Nationalism in India

Peasants and Farmers II

Peasants and Farmers I

Pastoralists in The Modern World II

Nazism and Rise of Hitler - I

Forest Society and Colonialism II