Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution — Question 3
Back to all questionsImagine that you are a middle-level wheat farmer in Russia after collectivisation. You have decided to write a letter to Stalin explaining your objections to collectivisation. What would you write about the conditions of your life? What do you think would be Stalin’s response to such a farmer?
Respected Stalin,
I am writing to you as a middle-level wheat farmer who has been deeply affected by the policy of collectivisation. Allow me to express my concerns and objections regarding the current conditions of my life. For years, I diligently cultivated my fields, sowed wheat, and reaped the harvest. The land was my livelihood, and I took pride in its productivity. However, under the collectivisation policy, my individual ownership has been stripped away. My once-private land is now part of a large collective farm, and I have lost control over its management and decisions. Decisions about crop rotation, planting, and other agricultural practices are made collectively. As a farmer, I feel disempowered because I no longer have a say in these matters. The bureaucracy and inefficiencies within the collective farm system often hinder productivity and innovation. My humble request to you, Comrade Stalin, is to reconsider the impact of collectivisation on small and middle-level farmers like me. We need a system that allows us to thrive while contributing to the collective good.