Kulaks

Who were the kulaks?

Kulaks were peasants who were wealthy enough to own a farm and hire labour.

When were the kulaks attacked by the Communist government?

The kulaks were attacked by the Bolsheviks at 3 different times:

• ❖ Between 1918 and 1921, the Bolsheviks implemented their policy of War Communism. During this period, the kulaks were blamed for grain shortages as peasants resisted grain requisitioning.
• ❖ Between 1921 and 1928, the communists implemented their NEP. During this time, the kulaks were accused of being capitalists and against the revolution as they became richer.
• ❖ Between 1928 and 1932, the communists implemented collectivisation. The kulaks were accused of being capitalists and 'class enemies', and Stalin launched a dekulakisation campaign.

Why were kulaks considered anti-communist?

The kulaks were considered anti-Communist due to 3 main reasons:

• ❖ They strongly opposed collectivisation as they wanted to own their farms.
• ❖ They didn't want to sell their grain to the government because purchasing prices were low.
• ❖ The Soviet government considered the kulaks to be capitalists and, therefore, enemies of communism.

What happened to the kulaks?

Kulaks were considered enemies of communism and most ended up in one of 3 categories during collectivisation:

• ❖ 'Counter-revolutionaries', who were to be shot or sent to the gulags.
• ❖ 'Active opponents of collectivisation', who were deported to other areas of the USSR.
• ❖ Those who were expelled from farms and forced to settle on poor land.

What was the impact of collectivisation on the kulaks?

Collectivisation destroyed the kulaks as a class and many were exiled, imprisoned in gulags, or executed.