To put it simply and briefly, dispossession is a mass confiscation of property from peasants in the 30s of the last century, behind which millions of lives and destinies stand. Now this process is recognized as illegal, its victims are en titled to compensation.
Beginning of dispossession
Dispossession, that is, the deprivation of the peasant-fist of the opportunity to use the land, the confiscation of production tools, "surpluses" of management, took place during the years of collectivization.
The beginning could be considered the date of signing (1930-30-01) 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 was taking place.
However, real dispossession began much earlier. Lenin made statements about the need to fight the prosperous peasants as early as 1918. It was then that special committees were created that de alt with the confiscation of equipment, land, food.
Fists
The policy of dispossession was carried out so rudely that both we althy peasants fell under it, and completelysegments of the population far from prosperity.
Significant masses of peasants suffered from forced collectivization. Dekulakization is not only the deprivation of one's economy. After the ruin, the peasants were expelled, whole families fell under repression, regardless of age. Infants and old people were also exiled indefinitely to Siberia, the Urals, and Kazakhstan. All "kulaks" were expected to do forced labor. By and large, dispossession in the USSR resembled a game in which the rules are constantly changing. Special settlers had no rights - only duties.
Whom to classify as "kulaks" was decided by the Soviet government without trial or investigation. It was possible to get rid of anyone who was not so friendly or came into conflict with the local authorities.
The worst thing is that those who earned their "excesses" by hard work, without attracting hired workers, were also considered objectionable. At first they were called "middle peasants" and for some time they were not touched. Later, they were also recorded as enemies of the people, with the corresponding consequences.
Signs of kulak farms
To identify the kulak economy, its signs were listed (Resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of 1929). Among them were the following:
- The use of hired labor in agricultural work and other crafts.
- A peasant owns a mill, an oil mill, a dryer for vegetables and fruits, any other mechanical equipment with a motor.
- Hiring out all of the above machines.
- Rental space for housing.
- Occupationtrading activities, mediation, receipt of unearned income.
Reasons for 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 such an important function, it could help finance 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. Even specific deadlines were set for its successful implementation. The maximum duration of its implementation is 5 years (for non-grain areas).
However, it could not have taken place without dispossession. It was it that provided the basis for the creation of collective farms and state farms.
Dispossession 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%.
The reaction of the village 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 dispossession was. When the peasants realized that this was violence and arbitrariness, they organized protests.
Some desperate people destroyed their own farms and killed activists representing the Soviet government. To suppress the recalcitrantthe Red Army was involved.
Stalin, realizing that the process could damage his reputation and turn into a political disaster, wrote an article in Pravda. In it, he categorically condemned the violence and blamed local performers for everything. Unfortunately, the article was not aimed at eliminating lawlessness, but was written for its own rehabilitation. Already by 1934, despite the resistance of the peasants, 75% of individual farms were converted into collective farms.
Results
Dispossession is a process that has crippled the fate of millions of people. Eyewitnesses recall how huge families who lived together for generations went into exile. Sometimes they numbered up to 40 people and united sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All members of the family worked hard for the development of their economy. And the coming power took away everything without a trace. The population of the country has decreased by 10 million people in 11 years. This is due to several reasons. In 1932-1933 almost 30 million people went hungry. Areas where wheat grew (Kuban, Ukraine) were 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 economic terms, this process did not become an impetus for the development of agriculture. On the contrary, the results of dispossession were deplorable. There was a sharp decrease in the number of cattle by 30%, the number of pigs and sheep decreased by 2 times. grain production,Russia's traditionally important export fell by 10%.
Collective farmers treated public property as "no one's". The new workers worked carelessly, theft and mismanagement flourished.
Today, all victims of dispossession are recognized as victims of political repression. Local self-government bodies are instructed to consider and make decisions on issues of compensation for damage to rehabilitated citizens. To do this, you need to make an application. According to Russian law, it can be submitted not only by the rehabilitated citizens themselves, but also by their family members, public organizations and trusted persons.
