Droughts and famines in Russia and the Soviet Union

Victims of the 1921 famine in Russia

Droughts and Famines in Russia and the Soviet Union

Droughts and famines have been recurring phenomena in the history of Russia and the Soviet Union. These events have had significant social, economic, and political impacts on the region.

Historical Overview

Pre-20th Century

Throughout the history of Imperial Russia, droughts and famines were common. One of the earliest recorded famines was the 1601-1603 Russian famine, which occurred during the Time of Troubles. This period was marked by political instability, social upheaval, and widespread starvation.

19th Century

The 19th century saw several significant famines, including the 1830-1831 Russian famine and the 1891-1892 Russian famine. The latter was particularly devastating, affecting millions of people and leading to widespread disease and death. The famine prompted the government to take some measures to improve agricultural productivity and food distribution.

Soviet Era

1921-1922 Famine

The Russian famine of 1921-1922 was one of the most severe famines in Russian history. It was caused by a combination of factors, including drought, the aftermath of the Russian Civil War, and the policies of War Communism. The famine affected the Volga and Ural regions, leading to the deaths of an estimated 5 million people.

Holodomor

The Holodomor was a man-made famine that occurred in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933. It was part of the wider Soviet famine of 1932-1933, which also affected other parts of the Soviet Union. The famine was caused by the policies of collectivization and the requisitioning of grain by the Soviet government. Millions of Ukrainians died as a result of the famine, which is considered by some historians to be an act of genocide.

Post-World War II

After World War II, the Soviet Union experienced several more famines, although none were as severe as those in the early 20th century. The 1946-1947 Soviet famine was caused by a combination of drought, war damage, and poor economic policies. It affected several regions, including Ukraine, Moldova, and parts of Russia.

Causes

The primary causes of droughts and famines in Russia and the Soviet Union have included natural factors such as drought and poor weather conditions, as well as human factors such as war, political instability, and economic policies. The collectivization policies of the Soviet government, in particular, have been widely criticized for exacerbating food shortages and contributing to famines.

Impact

The impact of droughts and famines in Russia and the Soviet Union has been profound. These events have led to widespread suffering and loss of life, as well as significant social and political changes. Famines have often prompted government action to improve agricultural productivity and food distribution, although these measures have not always been successful.

See Also

• Russian Civil War
• Collectivization in the Soviet Union
• Holodomor
• War Communism
• Volga Region
• Ural Region