1921–1923 famine in Ukraine

Children affected by famine in Berdyansk, Ukraine - 1922

1921–1923 Famine in Ukraine

The 1921–1923 famine in Ukraine was a catastrophic famine that affected the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic during the early 1920s. This famine was part of a larger crisis that also impacted other regions of the Soviet Union, including the Volga region, Kazakhstan, and parts of Siberia.

Causes

The famine was primarily caused by a combination of factors, including the aftermath of the Russian Civil War, severe droughts, and the policies of the Bolshevik government. The War Communism policy, which included the requisitioning of grain and other foodstuffs from peasants, exacerbated the food shortages. Additionally, the New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in 1921, was too late to prevent the widespread starvation.

Impact

The famine had a devastating impact on the population of Ukraine. It is estimated that between 1.5 to 2 million people died as a result of starvation and related diseases. The famine also led to significant social and economic disruption, with many villages being depopulated and agricultural production severely affected.

Relief Efforts

Relief efforts were organized both domestically and internationally. The American Relief Administration, led by Herbert Hoover, played a significant role in providing food aid to the affected regions. The Soviet government also eventually organized relief efforts, although these were often hampered by bureaucratic inefficiencies and political considerations.

Aftermath

The famine had long-lasting effects on Ukraine and its population. It contributed to the further centralization of power in the Soviet government and the eventual collectivization of agriculture under Joseph Stalin. The memory of the famine also influenced Ukrainian national consciousness and has been a subject of historical research and debate.

See Also

• Holodomor
• Russian Civil War
• New Economic Policy
• War Communism
• American Relief Administration