Why Did Stalin Introduce Collectivisation? (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE History)

Revision Note

Zoe Wade

Written by: Zoe Wade

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

How Significant was Collectivisation for the USSR? - Summary

Collectivisation was a significant policy created by Stalin in 1928. It aimed to combine individual farms into collective farms. The state owned and managed some of these farms. This policy had several significant impacts on the USSR.

Economically, collectivisation aimed to increase agricultural productivity. By creating large farms, peasants could use modern resources and farming techniques. However, the forced collectivisation led to widespread resistance among peasants. Peasants destroyed crops, livestock and infrastructure. Collective farms were also poorly run and inefficient. These factors led to widespread famine and food shortages, particularly in Ukraine (the famine in Ukraine was called the Holodomor).

Collectivisation consolidated Stalin's control over agricultural communities. It began the process of dekulakisation. This eliminated the influence of wealthy kulaks, who were seen as a threat to the socialist state. Collectivisation strengthened the state's grip on the rural population.

Socially, collectivisation resulted in the suffering of millions of peasants. The state forcibly relocated peasants, causing the loss of their land. Peasants who resisted collectivisation faced punishment. The policy disrupted traditional rural communities and led to social unrest.

Reasons for Collectivisation

  • While the Five-Year Plans focused on rapid industrialisation, collectivisation aimed to improve agricultural output

  • Stalin introduced the concept in 1928

    • There are many motivations behind collectivisation

A concept map showing the motivations behind collectivisation
A concept map showing the motivations behind collectivisation

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Students sometimes believe that collectivisation and Five-Year Plans are the same policy. They both began in 1928, but they targeted different sectors of the economy. The Five-Year Plans focused on rapid industrialisation. Collectivisation aimed to increase the efficiency of agriculture. The methods used for each policy are also different.

How did Collectivisation Work?

  • Stalin was forced to introduced collectivisation in two stages:

Stage One

Stage Two

Increase the mechanisation of farming and bring the peasants under government control

The slowing down of collectivisation and the introduction of machine tractor stations (MTS)

The Process of Collectivisation

A flowchart showing the process of collectivisation
A flowchart showing the process of collectivisation

What Issues did Collectivisation Cause?

  • The state forced peasants to collectivise

    • Richer and poorer peasants resented the government for forcing them to leave their home

  • Peasants continued to rebel

    • Peasants destroyed crops and animals rather than hand them over to the government

  • Collectivisation had damaging impacts on Ukraine

    • Ukraine was a profitable agricultural region of the USSR

      • It grew a vast amount of grain

    • Ukraine fought back against collectivisation

      • Ukraine had a strong cultural and national identity

    • The government punished Ukrainian peasants

      • They violently repressed the peasants who refused to collectivise

      • In 1932, they increased the government quota for grain despite there being a poor harvest

    • The government caused the 'Holodomor'

      • This means 'death by hunger'

      • The government took all food from peasants who could not meet their quota

Worked Example

Why was it important to Stalin to modernise Soviet agriculture?

6 marks

Partial answer:

Stalin felt that collectivisation was important because it would allow the Five-Year Plans to succeed (1). The Five-Year Plans caused rapid industrialisation, which was very expensive. Stalin wanted to grow surplus grain to sell abroad for profit. This could fund machinery and experts for the Five-Year Plans (1). This was important because Stalin considered this vital for the success of the USSR. It would resolve some of the longstanding issues that Russia had with its agriculture and help to modernise the country (1).

Examiner Tips and Tricks

In Paper One, ‘explain why’ questions are worth either six or ten marks. For full marks in this question, an examiner is looking for two fully explained reasons as to why the modernisation of agriculture was important. Use the PEE structure in your answer:

  • P - Make a point about the question

  • E - Use evidence that supports the point that you have made

  • E - Explain why this evidence shows that the modernisation of agriculture was important. Avoid repeating the point again. Explain how this factor caused Stalin to aggressively pursue the policy of collectivisation

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Zoe Wade

Author: Zoe Wade

Expertise: History

Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

Bridgette Barrett

Author: Bridgette Barrett

Expertise: Geography Lead

After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.