Custodialism is what? The policy of dispossession in the USSR: causes, process and consequences

To put it simply and briefly, dekulakization is a mass confiscation of property from peasants in the 1930s, behind which millions of lives and destinies stand. Now this process is recognized as illegal, its victims are compensated.

The beginning of dekulakization

The dekulakization, that is, the deprivation of the farmer-kulak's ability to use land, the confiscation of implements of production, "surplus" farming, took place during the years of collectivization.

The beginning could be considered the date of signing (30.01.1930) of the resolution of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU (B.). It established the procedure and list of measures for the liquidation of kulak farms in the regions where collectivization takes place.

However, dekulakization actually began much earlier. Lenin made statements about the need to fight the well-to-do peasants back in 1918. It was then that special committees were created that dealt with the confiscation of equipment, land, and food.

"Fists"

The policy of dekulakization was so crude that well-to-do peasants, and those who were completely out of favor with the population, fell under it.

Significant masses of peasants suffered from forced collectivization. Dekulakization is not only the deprivation of one's own economy. After the ruin, the peasants were expelled, whole families were subjected to repression, regardless of age. Babies and old people also referred indefinitely to Siberia, the Urals, Kazakhstan. All the "kulaks" were expected to be forced to work. By and large, dekulakization in the USSR resembled a game in which the rules are constantly changing. The special resettlers did not have any rights - some duties.

Whom to classify as "kulaks", the Soviet government decided without trial and effect. It was possible to get rid of anyone who was not so friendly or in conflict with local authorities.

The most terrible thing is that those who made their "excesses" with heavy labor, without recruiting hired workers, were considered to be disliked. At first they were called "middle peasants" and did not touch for a while. Later they were also recorded in the enemies of the people with the corresponding consequences.

Signs of kulak farms

To identify the kulak farm, its signs were listed (Decree of the USSR Council of People's Commissars of 1929). Among them were the following:

• The employment of hired labor in agricultural work, other fisheries.
• Presence in the property of a peasant mill, dairy, drying for vegetables and fruits, any other mechanical equipment with an engine.
• Lease of all the above mechanisms.
• Lease of premises for housing.
• Occupation trading activities, intermediation, the receipt of unearned income.

Causes of dispossession

The reasons for such a tough policy of the authorities are very simple. Agriculture has always been a source of food for the country. In addition to this important function, it could help in financing the process of industrialization. It is more difficult to cope with the huge number of small independent agricultural enterprises. It is much easier to manage several large ones. Therefore, collectivization began in the country. The stated goal of this event is to carry out socialist transformations in the village. For its successful implementation, even specific deadlines were established. The maximum term of its holding is 5 years (for non-grain areas).

However, it could not have taken place without the dekulakization. It was this that provided the basis for the creation of collective farms and state farms.

The dekulakization is the liquidation of more than 350,000 peasant farms, ruined by the middle of 1930. At a rate of 5-7% of the total number of individual agricultural enterprises, the real figure was 15-20%.

Village reaction to collectivization

Collectivization was perceived by the villagers in different ways. Many did not understand what it could lead to, and did not really realize what dekulakization is. When it came to peasants that it was violence and arbitrariness, they organized protests.

Some desperate people destroyed their own economy and killed activists representing Soviet power. To suppress the rebellious involved the Red Army.

Stalin, realizing that the process could damage his reputation and turn into a political catastrophe, wrote an article in Pravda. In it, he categorically condemned violence and blamed local actors for everything. Unfortunately, the article was not aimed at eliminating lawlessness, but was written for own rehabilitation. By 1934, despite the resistance of the peasants, 75% of individual farms had been converted to collective farms.

Results

The dekulakization is a process that has crippled the destinies of millions of people. Eyewitnesses recall that huge families who lived together for generations were sent into exile. Sometimes they numbered up to 40 people and united sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All members of the family worked hard to develop their economy. And the power that came was taking away everything. The population of the country has decreased over 11 years by 10 million people. There are several reasons for this. In 1932-1933, almost 30 million people were starving. The areas in which wheat grew (Kuban, Ukraine) became the main victims. The famine claimed, according to various estimates, five to seven million lives. Many died in exile from hard work, malnutrition and cold.

In the economic aspect, this process did not become an impetus for the development of agriculture. On the contrary, the results of dekulakization were deplorable. There was a sharp decrease in the number of cattle by 30%, the number of pigs and sheep decreased by 2 times. The production of grain, traditionally an important item of Russian exports, fell by 10%.

The collective farmers treated public property as "no man's land". New workers worked through their sleeves, the thefts and mismanagement flourished.

To date, all those who suffered from dekulakization are recognized as victims of political repression. Local authorities are instructed to review and take decisions on issues of reparation to rehabilitated citizens. For this it is necessary to draw up a statement. According to the Russian legislation, it can be submitted not only by the rehabilitated citizens themselves, but also by their family members, public organizations and trusted persons.