Collectivization of Agriculture

1. Why was collectivization necessary?
The land could be used more efficiently, the gov. could collect the grain more easily. Experts could help peasants farm in more modern ways via the MTS station. Mechanization would allow less peasants to farm the land, freeing them for factory work.
2. What is a kolkhoz?
A collective farm where all of the farm equipment and all of the land is held in common. Each family gets 1 acre for private use.
3. Who is a kulak?
A richer or more successful peasant
4. How were the kulaks dealt with by the government?
They were made to pay higher taxes. Activists were sent to get peasant support against the kulaks. The twenty-five-thousanders attacked Kulaks. There were cases of blackmail, and many just abandoned their homes or killed themeselves.
5. How did the peasants resist collectivization? What happened as a result?
They killed all of their excess livestock and burned their excess crops. As a result there was a famine.
Examine the collective farm as illustrated in the reading, "A plan of a collective farm." Answer the following question:

6. What is a MTS Station?
Machine and Tractor Station
7. What were the dual purposes of the MTS Stations?
To maintain and hire out tractors, and so the party could keep an eye on the peasants and make sure they hand over their quota of grain.
8. How did a kolkhoz work and what was its relationship with the nearby town and its MTS?
Peasants were paid according to the number of "workdays" which they worked. The more you worked, the more money you were alotted from the farm's profit. The first priority of the kolkhoz was to fulfill its quota. The peasants sold excess produce from their private plots at the market. This provided the towns people with most of their milk, eggs, butter, and produce. The MTS made sure the kolkhozs fulilled their quotas. A kolkhoz had to pay 20% of its produce to be allowed to use the MTS.