Collectivisation was undoubtedly a real revolution from above in the countryside Essay Example

impact on the peasants cannot be quantified and it is therefore fair to say that collectivisation resulted in economic regression and was both flawed from a progressive, revolutionary standpoint and economically. The policy was not solely focused on economic benefits, but also political gains. The severity of the policy aimed to weaken the peasantry, while liquidising the Kulaks helped eliminate a potentially "capitalist" element from rural areas.

According to Viola, the process of collectivisation served to brutalise and possibly atomise the rural population, preventing them from holding the state hostage like they did in 1921. Vasily Grossman and Leo Kopelev's accounts suggest that the Russian people were heavily indoctrinated into believing Stalin's actions were necessary in liquidating the Kulaks and achieving the universal triumph of Communism. However, this victory is only relative as it ultimately proved counterproductive. In fact, many peasants would squander their food instead of giving it up to the state, as Sholokhov alludes to, and some even welcomed the Nazi invasion in 1941.

In addition to the destruction of the Kulaks, whom Stalin was eager to eliminate despite many being simply prosperous peasants, the consequences of his actions ultimately compounded severe economic conditions. While Stalin's political goals were achieved, his methods hindered the collectivization process economically by deporting or executing skilled individuals who refused to join collectives. The estimated death toll of collectivization ranges from six to twenty million, which is an inexcusable disregard for human life. Such mortality rates are even worse than "the Great Purge or any of the famines during the Tsarist Period" (Gordon), making clear that no real revolution was achieved. It is particularly alarming to consider that many of

the famines were essentially engineered by Stalin as a result of importing already scarce grain, and that they were even worse than those experienced during the Tsarist period.

Despite the widespread belief that life in the Collectivist era was uncomfortable, some argue that there were efforts to improve conditions. These included establishing cri?? ches for the children of female workers as well as providing literacy classes for women. It's important to note, however, that attendance to these classes was mandatory and absences were met with harsh punishment. Therefore, it can be concluded that Stalin's attempts at a revolution from above may have had political gains, but ultimately led to the economic downfall of the Russian peasantry. In other words, collectivisation was seen as an undeniable disaster.