Prodrazverstka

Prodrazverstka (Russian: Продразвёрстка) was a policy and a campaign of forced requisition of agricultural products, especially grain, from peasantry in the Soviet Union during the period of War Communism, which lasted from 1918 to 1921. The policy was introduced by the Bolshevik government to combat the economic difficulties and food shortages during the Russian Civil War. Prodrazverstka played a crucial role in the Bolshevik regime's efforts to control the agricultural sector and ensure a steady supply of food to the Red Army and urban areas.

Background

The Bolsheviks, after seizing power in the October Revolution of 1917, faced the daunting task of maintaining control over a vast and war-torn country. The Russian Civil War (1917-1922) and the allied intervention exacerbated the already dire food situation. The pre-war economy of the Russian Empire was heavily dependent on agriculture, and the war significantly disrupted food production and distribution channels.

Implementation

To address the crisis, the Bolshevik government implemented Prodrazverstka, mandating peasants to surrender a fixed amount of grain and other agricultural products to the state. The policy was enforced by the Cheka (the Soviet secret police) and local Soviets, often through harsh measures. Peasants who resisted or failed to meet the quotas were subjected to severe penalties, including confiscation of property, arrest, and sometimes execution.

Impact

Prodrazverstka led to widespread resentment among the peasantry, who saw it as a return to the serfdom of the pre-emancipation era. The policy exacerbated the already existing food shortages, leading to famine in several regions. It also contributed to the outbreak of peasant rebellions, such as the Tambov Rebellion of 1920-1921.

Despite its harshness, the policy enabled the Bolshevik government to feed the Red Army and sustain its fight against the White forces and foreign interventionists. However, the economic and social costs were immense, leading to a re-evaluation of economic policies by the Soviet leadership.

End and Aftermath

By 1921, the economic and political situation had become untenable, prompting Vladimir Lenin to introduce the New Economic Policy (NEP), which replaced Prodrazverstka with a tax-in-kind (ProdNalog). This policy shift marked a significant retreat from War Communism, allowing peasants to sell their surplus produce in the market after meeting the tax requirements. The NEP led to a recovery in agricultural production and an improvement in the food situation, but it also marked the beginning of a new set of challenges for the Soviet regime.