Kulaks and Famine Flashcards

Who were the kulaks in Stalin's Russia?

Better-off peasants who owned more land or animals, seen as class enemies.

What was dekulakisation?

Stalin's drive to 'liquidate the kulaks as a class' by seizing property, arresting, and deporting them.

Why did Stalin target the kulaks?

He blamed them for resisting collectivisation and for grain shortages.

How were many kulaks punished?

Their goods were taken; families were forced from homes to camps or remote areas; some were shot.

When did the great famine linked to collectivisation happen?

1932-33.

Which areas were hit hardest by the 1932-33 famine?

Ukraine, the North Caucasus (Kuban), the Volga region, and Kazakhstan.

What were the main causes of the 1932-33 famine?

Harsh grain requisitions and chaos from collectivisation; poor harvests made it worse.

What was the 1932 'Law of the Five Ears of Grain'?

A law that made taking even small amounts of grain a serious crime, with long prison terms or death.

How did the government stop peasants fleeing famine areas?

It brought in internal passports and police roadblocks to block travel from affected regions.

What was 'blacklisting' during the famine?

Villages that missed grain quotas were cut off from trade and supplies, which deepened hunger.

What happened to livestock numbers by 1933?

They fell sharply; about half of all cattle were lost.

About how many people died in the 1932-33 famine?

Millions; historians often estimate around 5 to 7 million deaths.

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