Agriculture And Collectivisation Flashcards
When did Stalin introduce collectivisation?
In 1928 in which peasants had to pool all their land together
Why was collectivisation introduced? (I)
Fear of invasion-due to foreign intervention in the civil war, Stalin was scared that an attack may come from the west. Modernisation of agriculture and industry was essential of a future war as the army needed to be built up and supplied and strengthen the country.
Disappointing output- industrial production remained disappointing and Stalin felt that central direction would enable for the economy to be rapidly expanded in order to outstrip developing countries.
Communist principles- there were political reasons to collectivise as it fitted in with common ownership
Leadership- collectivisation would consolidate Stalin’s leadership
Why was collectivisation introduced. (II)
Control- Stalin wanted to seek control of the peasants by using collectivisation as he saw them as enemies of communism.and was aware how close they came to destroying Lenin during war communism.
Industrialisation- 5 year plans required agriculture to produce surplus food so it can finance the 5 year plans. Additionally mechanisation would reduce the amount of peasants needed for farming and send them to work in cities and towns. It would also increase food production.
Problems with NEP- farmers were still not producing enough surplus grain due to peasants knowing growing too much would be seized at a low price. Additionally peasants began to horde grain during the war scare (1927) and Stalin saw these “kulaks” as people who needed to be controlled
Who were the kulaks?
Wealthier peasants who became wealthier during the NEP due to better farming techniques. However they were accused of being capitalists and hoarding food for their gain. Collectivisation would get rid of them as a class
What were the 2 types of collective farms?
Kolkhoz and Sovkhoz
What was Kolkhoz?
It was a collective farm made up of 80 families farming 500 hectares of land. Families provided fixed amounts of food at low prices and can keep any surplus. Mechanisation was also developed and tractor stations were set up. There were one of these for every 40 collective farms. This also helped Stalin gain political control.
What was Sovkhoz?
All the land was owned by the state and all produce was taken by the state and had their own tractors. The peasants who worked there were referred to as paid labourers.
How did peasants react to collectivisation?
There was fierce opposition especially in Ukraine and Caucasus. Many peasants set fire to their farms and slaughtered their animals. Stalin retaliated by sending in de-kulakisation squads to round up any opposition.
Impact of collectivisation opposition
Forced Stalin to slow down process of collectivisation in 1930
He blamed over-keen party individuals
Several reversal processes during the summer and spring in 1930
However in late 1930, collectivisation popped up again. By 1932, 62% of peasant households had been collectivised, five years later 93%
Successes of collectivisation
Provided greater control of the countryside and a secure supply of food to towns were established.
Aim of producing enough food to feed the towns and red army was achieved.
Schools and hospitals were on some collective farms.
Mechanisation sped up
Failures of collectivisation
There was a large human cost. There was a serious famine from 1932 to 33 which caused the death of 6-10 million peasants. In Ukraine and the northern Caucasus, about 5 million died.
Inefficient farming- Soviet farmers produced less than farmers in USA or Western Europe. It was not until 1940 where food production matched those of 1914.
Fall in production- peasant opposition led to a serious decline in food production from 73.3 million tonnes in 1928 to 67.6 million tonnes in 1934. Rural population was often starved in order to provide the needs of the industry.
