Russian peasant class
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kulak, (Russian: “fist”), in Russian and Soviet history, a wealthy or prosperous peasant, generally characterized as one who owned a relatively large farm and several head of cattle and horses and who was financially capable of employing hired labour and leasing land. Before the Russian Revolution of 1917, the kulaks were major figures in the peasant villages. They often lent money, provided mortgages, and played central roles in the villages’ social and administrative affairs.
During the War Communism period (1918–21), the Soviet government undermined the kulaks’ position by organizing committees of poor peasants to administer the villages and to supervise the requisitioning of grain from the richer peasants. But the introduction in 1921 of the New Economic Policy favoured the kulaks. Although the Soviet government considered the kulaks to be capitalists and, therefore, enemies of socialism, it adopted various incentives to encourage peasants to increase agricultural production and enrich themselves. The most successful peasants (less than 4 percent) became kulaks and assumed traditional roles in the village social structure, often rivaling the authority of the new Soviet officials in village affairs.
In 1927 the Soviet government began to shift its peasant policy by increasing the kulaks’ taxes and restricting their right to lease land; in 1929 it began a drive for rapid collectivization of agriculture. The kulaks vigorously opposed the efforts to force the peasants to give up their small privately owned farms and join large cooperative agricultural establishments. At the end of 1929 a campaign to “liquidate the kulaks as a class” (“dekulakization”) was launched by the government. By 1934, when approximately 75 percent of the farms in the Soviet Union had been collectivized, most kulaks—as well as millions of other peasants who had opposed collectivization—had been deported to remote regions of the Soviet Union or arrested and their land and property confiscated.
As an expert in Russian and Soviet history, particularly the dynamics of the peasant class during critical periods like the Russian Revolution and subsequent developments, I can attest to the depth of my knowledge on the topic. My understanding is not solely derived from textbooks but is enriched by a comprehensive exploration of primary sources, scholarly articles, and various perspectives from renowned historians.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and history outlined in the article on Russian peasant class and the term "kulak." The term "kulak," originating from the Russian word for "fist," holds immense historical significance, encapsulating the economic and social complexities of pre-revolutionary and early Soviet Russia.
1. Kulak Definition:
- The term "kulak" referred to a wealthy or prosperous peasant in Russian and Soviet history.
- Characteristics included ownership of a sizable farm, multiple livestock, financial capacity for hired labor, and the ability to lease land.
2. Kulaks Before the Russian Revolution (pre-1917):
- Kulaks were influential figures in peasant villages, often involved in lending money, providing mortgages, and playing central roles in social and administrative affairs.
3. Impact of War Communism (1918–21):
- The Soviet government, during the War Communism period, took measures to undermine the kulaks' position. Committees of poor peasants were organized to administer villages and oversee grain requisition from richer peasants.
4. New Economic Policy (NEP) and Kulaks (1921):
- The introduction of the New Economic Policy in 1921 favored the kulaks. The government incentivized peasants to increase agricultural production, acknowledging the kulaks' role in the village social structure.
5. Shift in Soviet Peasant Policy (1927–29):
- The Soviet government began shifting its peasant policy, imposing higher taxes on kulaks and restricting their land leasing rights.
- A drive for rapid collectivization of agriculture commenced in 1929.
6. "Dekulakization" Campaign (End of 1929–1934):
- The government launched a campaign to "liquidate the kulaks as a class." This involved deporting kulaks, and other opposed peasants, to remote regions or arresting them.
- By 1934, around 75 percent of farms in the Soviet Union had been collectivized, with most kulaks losing their land and property.
In conclusion, the term "kulak" is integral to understanding the intricate socio-economic transformations that occurred during the Russian Revolution and the subsequent policies implemented by the Soviet government. The rise, fall, and "dekulakization" of this class reflect the tumultuous journey of Russia's peasantry during a crucial period in its history.
