De-kulakization

Definition

De-kulakization was a political campaign initiated by the Soviet government during the late 1920s and early 1930s aimed at eliminating the kulaks, or wealthy peasants, as a class. This campaign sought to consolidate agricultural production into collective farms and eradicate perceived enemies of socialism, which led to widespread repression, deportation, and violence against the kulaks and their families.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The de-kulakization campaign was officially declared in December 1929 and was part of Stalin's broader strategy to implement collectivization.
2. Estimates suggest that around 1.5 million kulaks were deported to remote areas of Siberia and other regions, where many faced harsh conditions.
3. The campaign not only targeted kulaks but also led to the persecution of many ordinary peasants who were labeled as kulaks due to their relative wealth.
4. De-kulakization significantly disrupted agricultural production, leading to widespread famine, especially during the early 1930s in Ukraine, known as the Holodomor.
5. This brutal campaign instilled fear among the peasantry, causing many to resist collectivization efforts, which further exacerbated tensions in rural areas.

Review Questions

• How did de-kulakization reflect the broader goals of Stalin's policies during the 1920s and 1930s?
  • De-kulakization reflected Stalin's ambition to transform Soviet agriculture through collectivization by eliminating the kulak class that he viewed as an obstacle to socialist progress. By targeting wealthy peasants, Stalin aimed not only to redistribute land but also to instill a sense of class struggle among the rural population. This campaign served as a means of consolidating state power over agriculture and suppressing any potential resistance to his policies, thereby aligning with his overarching goal of creating a centralized socialist economy.
• Evaluate the consequences of de-kulakization on Soviet agriculture and rural society.
  • The consequences of de-kulakization were profound and devastating for Soviet agriculture and rural society. The forced removal of kulaks disrupted traditional farming practices and led to a loss of agricultural expertise. Many collectivized farms struggled with inefficiencies and inadequate resources, contributing to widespread food shortages. Additionally, the social fabric of rural communities was shattered as families were torn apart and trust eroded due to fear and suspicion, resulting in long-term trauma among the peasantry.
• Assess how de-kulakization influenced subsequent policies in the Soviet Union, particularly during Stalin's rule.
  • De-kulakization set a precedent for extreme state intervention in rural life and laid the groundwork for further repressive policies under Stalin's regime. The tactics employed during this campaign became a model for future purges and political repressions against various groups perceived as threats. Additionally, the failures of collectivization and its associated famines prompted Stalin to intensify control over agricultural production through measures such as grain requisitioning. This harsh approach established a cycle of violence and repression that characterized much of Stalin's rule, influencing policies well into the later years of the Soviet Union.

Related terms

Collectivization: The policy of organizing agricultural production into collective farms, aiming to increase efficiency and control over food production in the Soviet Union.

Kulaks: A term used in the Soviet Union to describe wealthy or affluent peasants who owned larger farms and were seen as class enemies by the Communist regime.

Gulag: A government agency that administered forced labor camps during the Stalin era, where many kulaks were sent as part of de-kulakization and other political repressions.