The Kremlin’s Demands for Grain from Soviet Ukraine in Late 1931- Early 1932 and Its Consequences

• In Event: Economic Policies and Demographic Changes

Abstract

The 1931-32 grain procurement campaign in Soviet Ukraine led to the development and then intensification of famine conditions. While famine conditions appeared already in the republic in late 1931 collections continued into spring 1932. The aim of the paper is to examine the campaign in the context of the 1931 grain harvest, the quta assigned Ukraine, and grain collection efforts, including Viacheslav Molotov’s role in intensifying these efforts during his December 1931-January 1932 working visit to Ukraine. Understanding what he said and did during his one-week stay in Ukraine is critical to understanding how and why famine conditions intensified sharply following his departure for Moscow. Other The consequences of the 1931-32 grin collection campaign will be discussed in the paper, including demographic consequences, but more importantly the effects on the agricultural economy in early 1932, especially on spring sowing. The paper will make use of historical literature, published and unpublished documents, and at least one memoir. The focus on the late 1931-early 1932 period complements studies on the famine in Ukraine of 1932-33 (Holodomor), which have tended to focus on the second half of 1932 and especially 1933. The discussion of Molotov’s working visit is also intended to shed light on the relationship between the All-Union center and the republic.

Author

• Bohdan Klid, U of Alberta (Canada)