As a conclusion, the communism have failed as an ideology and as a way of life in the Central and Eastern Europe. End of story and get back to the topic.
We are alredy in topik :Comunism ideology
I’t touch all Esterm european countries , USSR and China.
What “economic errors”? Simply Ceausescu decided that Romania need to be a “no debt” country
Dani , unfortunately not so simple
suorce http://lib.com.ru/History/it_ROUMANIA.htm
…Rumania after the accession to power Ceausescu took course on the purchase of the expensive projects on the building of the giants of the chemical, metallurgical, oil-refining productions, equipment in THE USA, France, Italy and FRG. Rumania began to develop commercial relations more than with 150 countries, and to 1987 it left in the 12th place in the world by the annual volume of trade. In the structure of the Rumanian export, which grew from 1967 through 1987 it is more than 9,6 times, began to predominate articles with the high degree of working (62 % entire export). Ceausescu it judged from many points of view correctly: to export profitably only finished product. “raw” path leads to the steady impoverishment of its own economy and to an increase in the colonial dependence. He wanted to convert Rumania into the certain transportation terminal point between the West and the east, oriented to processing of eastern raw material.
Fateful for Rumania it became 1972, when International Bank for Reconstruction and Development opened for it the large source of obtaining the long credits.
… “brought” and the energy crisis of the middle of the 70th was annual, and the sharp takeoff of the prices of the oil, which Rumania began to buy in large quantities for the realization of arrogant plans Chaushesku. Obtaining yearly 10-11 millions. t of oil, Rumania began to buy almost doubly more. In this case the volumes of the oil processed in the country rapidly grew (with 22,6 millions. t in 1982 to 30,6 millions. t in 1989 g.) both for purposes of the expansion of the export of petroleum products for the boundary and for the needs of petroleum chemistry - the plans of its forced development, deprived of real basis, were developed under the management of “academician” to Helen Ceausescu.
Up to 1979 of Ceausescu rescued the support of the Iranian Shah, who presented Chaushesku truly priceless gift in the form of barter agreement to the Iranian oil on the stable prices. The overthrow of Shah led to the radical revision of Iranian agreement. Since 1979 of Rumania it was necessary to pay for the oil with currency on the world prices, and the plants, built to the bank credits, were very energy-consuming enterprises. One aluminum complex in Slatine consumed as much energy, as entire Bucharest. In pursuit of industrialization power expenditures completely were not allowed, meanwhile the prime cost of the production of some Rumanian enterprises was 3-4 times more expensive than western analogs. All this did not have special importance, until universal prices of the oil are low, but with the sharp jump of prices Rumanian industry proved to be in grave condition. It is only annual Rumanian management it realized toward the end of the 70th, which fell into the economic trap: the countries of the West completely did not need the production of the enormous power of Rumanian giant plants, as they do not require the finished product or even in polusyr’e. the “independent” policy led to the fact that THE USSR together with other neighbors of Rumania on the eastern block could not use these power, since they were originally not integrated into the economy COMECON - COUNCIL FOR MUTUAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE, yes even barter “convertible” ruble COMECON - COUNCIL FOR MUTUAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE was not received as western banks. SRR rushed into the countries of the third peace, but they proved to be poor and they were not capable of concluding transactions in such volumes, although they needed Rumanian production. Rumania was confidently placed on the elbows the successful West. The severe alternative arose before the country: to swim with the flow all of the increasing debts, or to convert the 23- millionth country in one large donor. The alternate path was selected, and for this of Rumania it was necessary to yearly ensure the positive balance of commercial balance in the size of 2 billion dollars, in connection with how the domestic market it were openly deprived of those goods, which could be exported, in particular food. Simultaneously with this sharply was reduced import from the West, due to which up to 1981 in the larger measure was ensured normal operation and modernization of industrial enterprises. Circle was locked.
So mate Romania took credits not “like any other country” . This was the personal initiative of the Rumanian management to construct the “special independent economy”.
Of couse it was the blame of the USSR , wasn’t it ?
Lucky you!
Romanian rations (of course with queing):
200g salami person/month;
1 kg meat/family/month (it doesn’t matter the size of the family);
10 eggs/family/month;
1.5 liter sunflower oil/family/month;
1 kg sugar/family/month
2 bread/person/day;
I AM NOT LUCKY , Dani.
I remember the times (1993-94) when i was a student in Krasnodar. I live in 1 dollar in day.
I ate only porridge, bread with butter and tea. On the output in me was holiday when I it could eat up meat. In the daytime I learned at the university ( glory to god at that time formation it was free) and evenings it earned additionally on the building. Money it was very little and my parents little could to me soak.
I am sorry, talking “situation was more worst than …in Poland in 1982” I don’t mean to insult you.
please understand me correctly.
I allow that in you are heavy recollections about this period.
But could you try to understand my point.
cheers.
More interest information about Romania and its western friends.
…Here are some numbers of this run against the current: 1980. - the debt of 11 billion dollars; 1981-1 - 10,1; 1985-1 - 7; 1986-1 - 6,4… But the West could not allow Rumania to leave the debt pit on the credits, given TO SRR after 1980, the balance of its debts to International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 1987 increased by 50 % (about 250 million dollars). This was the consequence of the fact that currency realignment they were used only in the attitude of debtors, and also by the consequence of the currency speculations from the side MBRR. They equalized the Western countries and shook down their financial relations due to the eastern neighbors, but most important they attempted by all forces to hold the latter in the percent yoke of their credits. As a result of an increase in the debts of Rumania MBBR “on the currency risk” it sustained significant financial losses, paying out high money payments and interest rates. Briefly, it was necessary not only to preserve the undertaken rate of payment, but also to increase it to the increased percentages, but for this it was necessary to search for new internal possibilities, to break the already working model. 11 billion dollars of original debt as a result took the shape for Rumania of 21 billion! But perhaps it is possible in the dollar calculation to estimate those victims, which carried a Rumanian people, a quantity of hungry old men and nerodivshikhsya children?! In the middle 1980- X is annual world democratic press much she wrote about the shortage of food products in SRR, about the economic sanctions with respect to Rumanian food export. The humane West, the advocate of the rights of man, could without the special labor, takeing into account catastrophic position in the country, “to soften” payment conditions it was debt, but it did not make this! To chaushesku to no one it went to the bow - neither to THE USSR, the first signs of political apathy and economic disintegration of which it felt even in the beginning of the 80th (but for it this was the obvious warning of the fact that could expect Rumania) nor to the West - observing, as many of its former partners in the eastern block get in economically depending on the latter. The Rumanian economy of that period can be described as boundless by considering either which or with what victims tendency toward the complete independence of the country from any influence. Way to the independence lay through the payment of the external debt. Savings on everything, even vitally necessary, was elevated into the rank of state policy. According to official instructions, in the apartment it was permitted to light up only one lamp with a power of 15 watts, the use of refrigerators and other domestic electric appliances was in winter categorically forbidden, just as the use of gas for the heating of living quarters. Disturbances were revealed by that created for this purpose the “economic police” and punished by penalties, and then by turning off of gas and electric power. Hot water into the apartments practically was not given, but television worked 2-3 hours in a 24 hour period. The consumption of electric power per capita of population in Rumania was then lowest in Europe. The country was forced to sit down on the hungry ration. Were again introduced the food cards, abolished in 1954, and was developed the “program of scientific nourishment”. The consumption of meat was reduced with 45 kg per capita in 1980 to 37,2 in 1988. Since the beginning of the 80th it is annual in Bucharest they began increasingly more frequently to appear the exhausted and barefooted peasants, and peasant children, running out to the passing trains, requested bread. The domestic market entered a total of about 14,6 % finished textiles, 11,6 % foot-wear, 6,3 % gasoline, that were being produced in the country. In recent years of administration to Nikolai chaushesk the everyday food of people in essence they composed bread, sweet pepper and brynza. The piece of meat then was luxury, and the best gift was considered small kulechek the natural coffee grains. The winters, when for people it was necessary to live in the houses at a temperature in 10-12 degrees, were especially heavy. Certainly, old men first did not maintain… In some separately unhappy districts of the country of the newly born babies they recorded only at the age of six months, thus hiding from the world community the true numbers of child mortality, caused by malnutrition and absence of medicines. Rumania not brezgovala by in no way. It was the only country of eastern block, which converted emigration into the profitable matter. To chaushesku it discussed simply and clearly: the one who was borne, grew, were obtained free education and medical service in one country, it cannot simply so change it for another, without having paid off according to all calculations. For each German, who leaves Rumania, THE FRG introduced to the Rumanian external calculations 5 thousand West German stamps, and the Jewish communities of the West were forced to pay adequate sum of the American dollars for each “head”. In this case that driving off was forced according to the Rumanian laws to return its property - value, machine, house - to special state estimated commission. This “slave trade”, which caused extreme irritation in the civilized peace, gave into the treasury of state the specific stable arrival in SKV, which also went into the payment of western debt. We can by the gloomiest paints depict “gold epoch” Chaushesku, hate and despise this person, compare him with Hitler, Stalin, with whom it is convenient, but we cannot but recognize historic evidence: the country became only in the world state, which paid off debts. - respectively - received the possibility to freely manage entire that coming from foreign trade in currency. On 12 April, 1989, at the plenum of Central Committee of the RKP Nikolai chausheska it solemnly stated to entire peace about the complete payment by Rumania external indebtedness. !!!
Now should we go back on topic and discuss about the USSR and the communist ideolgy?
Sorry mate, I was talking to our Polish friends.
As you told us, in the USSR there weren’t such kind of problems. It means that the whole Central and Eastern Europe have failed to apply the communism as Lenin, Marx and Stalin thought of. What about USSR? Khrushchev had started the disaster or somebody else?
Maybe we should change the title of this to add the fact that the discussion is also about what it was like to live in both the communist and post communist world.
I have to admit that living here in the UK I have no experience of the things that you Eastern European guys have had to go through and I find it highly interesting.
Once I read an article which author followed the Max Weber’s theory of ideal type. In his opinion Soviet Union in 1952 had the clostest form to the theoretical model of communism. It reffered to all aspect of communist states: economics, social issues, totalitarian state, terror, overwheliming control, monopoly for information, propaganda, power politics etc.
So I assume that the degradation took place after Stalin’s death.
- Some people - not historians - people which lived through this time, remembered it as the darkest time in modern history of Poland. In 1952 Poland changed name - from Republic of Poland, (Rzeczpospolita Polska), the official name from 1569, become PEOPLE REPUBLIC OF POLAND.
In 1952 Poland get new constitution based on Stalin’s constitution of USSR.
In 1952 soviet builders started works on ugliest palace ever build in Poland - Palace of Culture and Science named after Josip Stalin - greatest friend of Poland…
In 1952 General Emil Fieldorf “Nil”, legend of Home Army received death sentence.
In March 1952 communist government of Poland protested when US Congress Commision investigated Katyn massacre and without doubt pointed towards NKVD as perpetrator of the crime.
In April 1952 rationing coupons were introduced for ordering meat meals in restaurants.
In May 1952 rationing of soap and washing powder was introduced.
In August 1952 compulsory deliveries of potatoes introduced - in practice individual farmers had to give away their harvest for free.
It was a way to force collective farming.
In 1952 - second after WWII “elections” - there was only one list of candidates and it contained exact number of “parliamentarians” to be elected.
1952 was a year in which communist plague which occupied Poland nearly managed to steal any hope people could have.
In 1953 there was a glimpse of hope, when “Genius Of Progressive Humanity, Greatest Military Commander from times of Alexander the Great - Generalissimus Stalin”, carked with a little help of Lavrientij Beria.
Another glimpse of hope in 1956 - workers of Poznan revolted and communist authorities admitted that in this town: “People’s power was abolished for 3 days”.
I remember old people saying, that when they heard it on the radio, they treated these words as the most beautiful news from 1944.
Than 1956 - Uprising in Budapest and people were not frightened anymore. This was the very beginning of the END.
I believe that the same 1952 was memorable in Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and other countries occupied by soviet plague or governed by agents of Moscow.
Cheers,
Lancer44
Dani, there were not communists countries - only socialists ( witch were rules by communists parties).
The economic models of socialism in the different countries of Soviet block were differed from each other. For example in Hungary were widely used market principles, which greatly facilitated the unhealthy processes of the crash of communism in this country and allowed it sufficiently easy to be poured into economy EU.
As far as THE USSR is concerned, living conditions were there much better than in Russia 90 yr. besides the small numbers of oligarchs like Abramovich or Khodorkovskiy, bulk of people began to live more badly after the disintegration OF THE USSR.
In THE USSR there were their problems. For example ,Soviet industry for long could not master the mass production of video tape recorders and home computers. I very for long could not purchase its my first computer (analog ZX-spectrum). I purchased it only into 1992 when it already hopeless it became obsolete.
But in 1993 prices sharply took off upward, and to me it was already not to the new computer. Certainly in the life in THE USSR there were their problems, but if you please, gentlemen, it is not necessary to speak nonsense about the long turns and the the terrible KGB.
I is confident that Soviet economy with the introduction of market mechanisms it could be very effective (as China). Simply national reguluses decided to snatch a little more authorities.
But simple people lost.
Lancer, in THE USSR into 1952-53 was also very difficult.
My grandmother told me as she it sewed to its children clothing from the old mattress, so that they could walk into the school. Although no longer there was hunger, problems with food products constantly appeared.
Me does not seem that situation in Poland was worse than in THE USSR in 1950 yars.
This was explained, first of all, by ruin after WW2. And by the beginning of the Cold War.
Mate, I understand that in all its misfortunes convenient to blame neighbor (USSR). Problem in the fact that now in the West already no one pecks to a similar rhetoric " insulting by THE USSR".
It is necessary to look in the future.
No one will give money.
Old is debt no one it will copy.
But relations with Russia are already damaged finally.
But these are your selection, dear Polish friends.
I hope that your “contemporary prosperity” not will have for you unpleasant consequences.
Cheers.
Of course situation just after the war was difficult. Everywhere. Poland and USSR suffered the most. 39% of everything was completely destroyed. It was not easy to start farming on fields full of mines etc. etc. In 1945 and 1946 situation was allewiated by UNRRA deliveries and rationing of food was natural.
In 1948 rationing was lifted and situation started to improve.
1952 rationing was caused purely by forced by Stalin push towards collective farming. Same scenario like in 1930 in the Ukraine. Fortunately they did not manage to get it to the point of famine.
Because of Stalin’s wish, Poland also refused to join Marshall plan.
(Look how Western Europe looks now and compare it with Poland and Ukraine.)
Cold war started and instead of producing much needed consumer goods Poland had to produce T-34-85s, than T-55s, and finally T-72.
Plus billions of dollars worth of other soviet requested junk which either rusted in the barracks of polish army or was sent as “international aid” to Korea, Vietnam, Angola, Kuba and other crazy places invented by our great soviet neighbour in attempt to set the world on fire.
And point by point - tell me, when I say anything which is not true, please.
Do you remember who invaded Hungary in 1956? Australian Aborygenes? Or Eskimo people?
Who invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968? I know what you tell me - Poland participated in Operation Dunai. True, Poland together with other Warsaw Pact countries invaded. But on who’s order? Could they refuse, disobey Moscow orders? What do you think?
In 1980. Which army set the biggest military exercises near polish border? Belgian perhaps…
So don’t you think that people in countries liberated from “brotherhood” of USSR are a bit suspicious if something like that is happening in Russia?
http://www.newswithviews.com/news_worthy/news_worthy38.htm
http://www.bluefieldnews.net/columns/051121-kinchen-thumbs.html
Dzherzhinsky monument in the center of Warsaw in “Dzerzhinsky Square” (pl. Plac Dzierżyńskiego), was hated by the population of the Polish capital as a symbol of soviet oppression and was toppled down in 1989, as soon as the PZPR started losing power, the square’s name was soon changed to its pre-second world war name “Plac Bankowy” (pl. Bank square). According to a popular joke in the latter-day People’s Republic of Poland, “Dzerzhinsky deserved a monument for being the Pole to kill the largest number of communists”.
An exact copy of the statue of Iron Felix that pro-democracy crowds tore down in Moscow in 1991, was unveiled in Belarusian capital Minsk on March 26, 2006. Belarusan KGB chief was present at the ceremony and said that Belarusan KGB should follow the example of Dzerzhinsky in its activities.
As you probably know Dzherzinsky monument - smaller version was last year unveiled in Lubianka courtyard.
How can you explain this? For outside observer explanation is very simple.
Can you imagine outcry if Germans decided to erect monument with Himmler statue? It is exactly the same.
Hi Lancer.
Bad new from Poland I heared yesterday on 1 Canal.
Teleserial “4 tankers & dog” was sent for the archive and more not will be demonstrated on the Polish television as “politically incorrect”.
So mate, political censorship in Poland present even today.
I watched also interview with the Polish veteran of the army Of Lyudova (which warred together with the Red Army). He said that it was distressed by the fact that in Poland nonobjectively it is today minimized the role of the army Of Lyudova. Today “in the mode” new heroes from the army Kraiovoi( Home Army).
Is certain, this private affair of Poles, whom to consider heroes at the specific moment of time. The history of Poland shows as this time (as mode) it can rapidly change to the opposite. But I am somewhat distressed, that people which brave battled together with the Russians against the Germans (about which film “4 tankers & dog”) now they became the “veterans of the second-sort” in Poland.
Now about your post.
1952 rationing was caused purely by forced by Stalin push towards collective farming. Same scenario like in 1930 in the Ukraine. Fortunately they did not manage to get it to the point of famine.
The creation of collective farming was the necessary condition for industrialization. Collectivization in THE USSR in the 30- yr. made it possible to build in the country the powerfull heavy industry, which played the decisive role in WW2.
although this and it was carried out due to the peasantry, by sufficiently rigid methods, nevertheless collectivization played its positive role in the industrialization. As far as Poland is concerned, postroyenye to the means from the collectivization it industrially became one of the strong in East Europe. Although now it remained from this practically nothing.
Lancer , did you see goods with the inscription “made in Poland”? May be in Australia it is?
Do you remember who invaded Hungary in 1956? Australian Aborygenes? Or Eskimo people?
These were combat Soviet bears with the nuclear balalaikas :-)))
Do you remember who help they?
Who invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968? I know what you tell me - Poland participated in Operation Dunai. True, Poland together with other Warsaw Pact countries invaded. But on who’s order? Could they refuse, disobey Moscow orders?
Yes, they could refuse.
This wrote Mazurov K.T.( Representative of the Politbureau CC KPSU in Czechoslovakia in 1968) his work “Recollections about the introduction of Soviet troops into Czechoslovakia during August 1968”
http://historydoc.edu.ru/catalog.asp?cat_ob_no=13415&ob_no=13416#_edn2
…After the management OF CSR refused to arrive in Warsaw for the conversations with the leaders of the fraternal countries, was possible to agree about the encounter the Politbureau of the CC CPSU and presidium OF TSK KPCH in Cierne- above -Gisso. Encounter was painful. We are somewhat hour they sat against each other in the accomodation some of school. The collocutors repeated to all our reasons, that to us not about which to worry. They parted coldly. In the train no one slept to Moscow: what to make?
According to the results of encounter they composed note for the leaders of fraternal parties. They constantly rang, proposed the solutions. On the most rigid steps insisted Ulbricht (DDR) and Gomulka (Poland). In spite of nuances, general position was united: it is necessary to entering the troops.
I am astonished, that the Polish comrades appeared bright initiative itself they proposed to Brezhnev to introduce troops into Czechoslovakia. What them thus did frighten?
With exception of Rumania (against) and Yugoslavia (it restrained) all leaders of socialist republics hotly supported intrusion into Czechoslovakia.
I am sure if some of the Eastern Europeans leaders engaged strictly negative position to the introduction of troops, then possibly Brezhnev did not begin to use force (as like in 1980 in Poland).
But unfortunately, most of leaders supported this solution, and some (as, for instance, Poland , DDR , Hungary(!!!) and Bulgary) granted even friendly forces for this.
Therefore, my friend, I do not see the reasons to lie down responsibility only in THE USSR.
My person oppinion about it is Czechoslovak military operation was carry ouied very professionally and it is rapid. Although the West he tried the on- possibility to kindle the military conflicts (as in Hungary into 1956). It perished only 72 citizens of Czechoslovakia and 12 Soviet soldiers and officers.
Czechoslovakia 1968.
“terrible Soviet occupiers”.
Soviet T -54 is set fire by “peaceful” citizens. While one tanker tries to extinguish fire thus far fuel tank did not explode, another tries not to allow to approach no one to the blazing machine. The citizens of Prague obtain pleasure from the helplessness of Soviet crew.
Becouse it was the STRICT ORDER - WEAPON NOT TO USE
Can you to imagine , dear friend , such situation, as example in modern Baghdad. One “peace-loving” Iraqi rebel ignites american Abrams. What will make American crew?
Yes you right, it will shoot from the machine gun of all whom he will see on the street, and then it will cause the air bomb reinforcement.
In 1980. Which army set the biggest military exercises near polish border?
And how many million Poles perished under the caterpillars of the Soviet tanks in 1980? Tell me, how many polish sitizents did perish from the Soviet humanitarian bombardments (like in 1998 in Serbia)?
As you probably know Dzherzinsky monument - smaller version was last year unveiled in Lubianka courtyard.
How can you explain this? For outside observer explanation is very simple…
And How can you explain the memorials of WaffenSS in Baltic states? For inside observer explanation also is very simple…
How can you explain the square (or street) of name of Dgohar Dudaev in Warsav?
I think all of this thingh are very irrational.
But if somebody place monuments to Fascist allies, somebody call streets by name of terrorists, then he ought not to be surprised at monuments Dzherzinsky in neighbors state.
Cheers.
Collectivisation was necessary for industrialisation? As perhaps the most ridiculous argument I have ever heard – why is a farming system which causes food shortages necessary for industrialisation? The rest of the world didn’t need it, and didn’t suffer food shortages as a result.
Hi MoS,
There is some idea even in complete madness. LOL
Collectivisation meant departure of millions of small farmers and their families right to Gulag camps or forced re-settlement villages.
In this way, army of slaves was created, which in turn helped greatly in industrialisation. Hunger and famine were just by-products of “lesser evil” and “higher neccessity”.
Do not underestimate genius of comrad Stalin - “The Sun of Progressive Part of Humanity and Saviour of the World”.
And tip: Trying to understand “comrades”, do not use your exemplary logic and wit. It doesn’t work… They are beyond comprehension!
Cheers mate!
Lancer44
Hi MoS
I see ,you actually nothing know about the history of USSR.
You forgot that “the rest of the world” never it developed industry under the conditions of practically economic blockade as Soviet Russia during 1930 yy.
Yes, collectivization was an indispensable condition for industrialization in THE USSR. Collectivization allowed state to use profit from sale of agricultural products on the world market for the purchase of equipment and machine tools for the new Soviet plants.
Today no one speaks about this, but in 1930 the industry OF THE USSR produced enormous increase.
Without THE OIL export, without THE GAS solding, without the Western credits practically in 10 years in THE USSR were created the heavy industry, one of the powerful in the world. These were a great the miracle.
When you speak about the misfortunes of collectivization, you confuse it with another process “dekulakization”. Dekulakization occurred befor the collectivization, this was the real robbery of peasants. State forcedly selected products of peasants, which in the consequence led to the hunger into 1932-33 in some regions.
Bitter truth in the fact that without having the foreign exchange earnings (as, for instance, now oil and gas) THE USSR built powerful industry on the “bones of peasants”.
In THE USSR no one wanted to pack investment. Almost no one in the West thought that Communists for long they will live . However, energetic government’s actions created before WW2 the industry, which even after 50% of loss after German blitzkrieg, into 1943 could produce ( partially use raw material of lend-lease) it is more weapon than the industry of united Fascist Europe.
I do not protect Stalin, understand me correctly, please.
But it is not need to tell nonsense, particularly if you never lived in THE USSR.
Cheers.
Lancer, I am not “comrade”, especially for you.
But this not to mean that I will allow itself to pass to the personal insults.
Please, using “your exemplary logic and wit” , read more different sources, not just “political-correct like Wikipedia”.
Collectivisation meant departure of millions of small farmers and their families right to Gulag camps or forced re-settlement villages
It’s rubbish, mate.
Cheers.
Millions of peasants refused collectivisation, and were arrested, then shot or deported. Fact.
In November 1929, the Central Committee decided to implement forced collectivisation. This marked the end of the New Economic Policy (NEP), which had allowed peasants to sell their surpluses on the open market. Grain requisitioning intensified, and wealthy peasants, or kulaks, were forced to join the collective farms, losing their private plots of land to the government. Stalin had many so-called “kulaks” transported to collective farms in distant places to work in agricultural labor camps. It has been calculated that one in five of these deportees, many of them women and children, died. In all, 6 million peasants lost their lives to the conditions of the transportation or the conditions of the work camps[1]. In response to this, many peasants initiated an armed resistance. As a form of protest, many peasants preferred to slaughter their animals for food rather than give them over to collective farms, which produced a major reduction in livestock.
Forced collectivisation led to famine. Fact. Its immediate effect was to reduce grain production and almost half livestock production (Hobspawm, “age of extremes”,1994)
Coming soon to a thread near you: Adolf Hitler’s economic miracle of the 1930s, and why the Nazis weren’t that bad really and everything you’ve ever read about them is wrong.
Can you, please quote where I “insulted you personally”?
I assume that books written by Western scholars about USSR economy and internal policies are not valid for you as a sources, I would advice you then to read your own authors - say Solzhenitsyn’s “Gulag Archipelago”.
I have this book right in front of me.
Cheers,
Lancer44
You’re right MoS!
Using the same twisted logic, one may argue that because nazis needed synthetic rubber and also very much needed synthetic petrol, so Buna Monovitz vast complex which used exclusively slave labour from Auschwitz was a neccessity for them. How true!
This is leading directly to conclusion that existence of Auschwitz can be perfectly justified.
Lancer44