Collectivisation: Causes and Responses
The Great Turn
1927-1928
Stalin's rapid push for industrialisation
began with abandoning the NEP
main feature was collectivisation
announced at the 15th Party Congress in Dec 1927
compared to other nations Russia heavily lacked in industrialisation
most peasants still using inefficient farming methods
1927 over 5 million inefficient wooden ploughs still in use
Stalin claimed kulaks were 'hoarding' grain
meat and bread were rationed in cities
peasants were resisting government policies and not marketing their food
Stalin's motives: industrialisation
Russia faced a threat of foreign invasion
helped the overpopulated countryside as peasants could move to towns and cities
would produce enough grain to feed the workers/for export
Stalin's motives: ideological/political
True Socialism demanded the state control production
he wanted to liquidate the kulak class
communist theory argued peasants weren't important to the revolution anymore
Stalin's motives: food production
it was inefficient for peasant households to own each farm
use of machinery would make farming more cost-effective and viable
poor harvest 1928 and grain procurement crisis 1928/29
winning this debate would secure his authority over the Right
it would increase the party's weak control of the countryside
Party member reaction
great enthusiasm for the end of the NEP
agreed peasant opposition needed to be wiped out
Peasant reaction
by June 1929 less than 5% had collectivised
didn't want to leave their land/share profits
many killed their livestock to avoid confiscation