T2- Famine

Question 1

Why were there famines?

Answer 1

Monoculture tendency, mir restrictions, severe weather conditions, grain req and collectivisation

Question 2

1891 famine

Answer 2

DT: 350k
Reason: Adverse weather, high taxes on consumer goods (Vyshnegradsky)- peasants sold off surplus, exacerbated problems.
Dealt with: Alexander banned grain exports, special committee for famine relief set up, emergency funding

Question 3

ww1 food supplies

Answer 3

DT: unknown
Reason: Problems getting food into urbanised areas and to the army due to poor transport links.
Impact: Peasants hoarded grain, 8+ hour queues for bread
Dealt with: led to 1921 famine

Question 4

1921 famine

Answer 4

DT: 5 mil
Reason: bolshevik post war policies and droughts, shutdown of russian railway, urban dwellers couldn’t travel to food
Impact and dealt with: Cannibalism and bodysnatching, american aid relief not accepted by lenin and some members were exiled by Cheka

Question 5

1920s

Answer 5

Kulaks blamed for hoarding grain in 1928- grain requisitioned again. Urals-SIberian method encouraged peasants to out neighbours for rewards

Question 6

1932-34 famine

Answer 6

DT: 5 mil
Reason: Collectivisation, poor harvests due to bad weather
Impact: sim to 1921 however great repression under Stalin. Death penalty for stealing grain, peasants shot for eating their corn, discussion of crisis banned, couldn’t move to look for food. Animals slaughtered against state.
Dealt: Improved by 1935, however by late 30s, meat and fish consumption fell by 80%

Question 7

ww2

Answer 7

DT- 900k
Reason- Short lived break from collectivisation. Continued during Khrushchev.
Impact: VLS, food had to be imported despite it.

Question 8

Overarching theme

Answer 8

Adherence to ‘socialised agriculture’ deemed inefficient throughout, russia couldn’t keep up with the supply and demand.