Prodrazvyorstka in Northern Kazakhstan: implementing of «combat order»

Abstract

On the basis of archival documents and periodicals of that time the process of implementation of the Soviet food policy during 1920-1921 in Northern Kazakhstan which administratively belonged to the Siberian revolutionary committee is analyzed. The main force in carrying out the food policy was prodotryads the main work of which was a violent food seizure and suppression of resistance of people. The data on the number of the arrived prodotryadswas revealed. Methods of prodotryads’ workers on violent withdrawal of the population’s «surplus» bread, meat and other food are characterized in the paper. The moral shape of prodotryads’ workers and their abuse is shown. The high volume of the prodrazveyorstka, applied methods caused the active resistance of the country and Kazakh population of the region which turned into bloody revolt at the beginning of 1921. Besides, the prodrazvyorstka became one of the main reasons for 1921-1923 hunger. Key words: policy of «military communism», food crisis, grain monopoly, food dictatorship, prodrazvyorstka, prodotryads, molotilnyi groups, prodrabotnik, peasantry, Kazakh population, civil war, Akmola region.