Effects of Collectivisation

Effects of Collectivisation

1. Human Cost

   • Between 6-10 millions people died of starvation in 1932-1933
   • People opposed to Collectivisation. (animals slaughtered)
   • 300,000 Kulak families were deported (1.5m) Probably 1/4 died

2. Inefficient Farming

   • Farmers were producing less per head than America or wester Europe
   • Until mid-1930s food had to be bought from abroad
   • Not until 1940 that grain production matched 1914
   • Decline in grain production 73.3m in 1928 to 67.6m in 1934

3. Benefits

   • Stalin and communists finally had greater control over the country side
   • Enough food was produced to feed the towns and the Red Army
   • Life on collective farms was not bad there were schools and hospitals.
   • MTS (Motor Tractor Stations) were quite successful and farming sped up after 1935
   • By 1936 more than 90% of land had been collectivised