11- Agriculture And Collectivisation Flashcards
Overview
Stalin spent 4 years to become the sole leader of the Soviet Union. He wanted to modernise the Soviet Union and so introduced the 5 year plan which transformed the industry and collectivisation which caused changes in agriculture
Why was collectivisation introduced
Many farms were still using old methods
Collectivisation made farms large enough to use modern machinery
The idea was to create a surplus food to feed industrial workers in towns and to sell abroad
Why did Stalin feel the need to introduce new changes to agriculture
This was based on a combination of economic and political factors that were linked by a fear of foreign invasion
Fear of invasion:
The help given by the allies to the whites during the civil war confirmed an attack from the west
Modernisation of agriculture and industry was necessary for victories in finite war
Disappointing output
Industrial output remained very low
Stalin thought that central control would enable him to direct the economy
Agriculture under the NEP failed to provide enough food for the workers
Communist principals:
Collectivisation fitted with communist ideas about common ownership
He wanted the state to control economic activity
Leadership:
It would enhance Stalin’s leadership
Collectivisation allowed Stalin to discredit Bukharin, tomsky and rykov who wanted to keep the NEP
Control over people:
This would give Stalin control over the countryside and peasantry
Stalin didn’t trust the peasants - by taking away the peasants independence he could remove their threat
Industrialisation:
If the 5 year plan would be a success, agriculture had to produce surplus that could be sold abroad
Mechanisation meant there would be less farm workers in the countryside
The problems of the NEP:
Old farming methods
Farmers were not producing enough food —> the peasants became wary of growing too much food as it would be taken by the state at low prices
Grain crisis — peasants hoarded grain
What was kolkhoz
Kolkhoz- Russian work for collective farm
The most important figure was the chairman who was a communist party member. The kolkhoz could claim ownership of animals, grain supplies and buildings in the village
They had to provide a fixed amount of food for the state at low prices. They could keep any surplus
They had their own private plots of land
Each farm had machinery
Machine tractor stations were set up —> tractors moved between collective farms to carry out the ploughing.
What was sovkhoz
All land was owned by state and all produce was taken by the state
Larger than kolkhoz
Had its own tractors
Peasants worked as paid labourers
Why was there opposition to collectivisation + how did Stalin respond and what impact did this have
There was fierce opposition to collectivisation - especially in Ukraine
Stalin sent de-kulakisation squads to round up opponents of collectivisation and deported them
The extent of opposition meant Stalin had to slow down the process of collectivisation
Effects of collectivisation
1) human cost :
There was famine in 1932-33 meaning lots of peasants died
2) benefits
Enough food was produced to feed the towns and the red army.
Life on collective farms was good - there were schools + hospitals
MTS were successful
3) Fall in production:
Economically it had mixed results
Peasant opposition lead to a decline in grain production
Rural people starved to provide enough for the industry
4) inefficient farming :
Until 1930s there was not enough food grown so it had to be brought from other countries
5) greater control:
It was a success for Stalin as he secured control of the countryside. The peasants never openly rebelled against communist rule.
Stalin ensured that he had a secure supply for workers in towns
