question_answer

      Write a few lines to show what you know about ? Kulaks                                    ? The Duma ?Women Workers between 1900 and 1930        ?The Liberals ?Stalin's Collectivisation Programme.

Answer:

                  Kulaks Kulak is the Russian name for well to do peasants. In 1927-28 Stalin took the decision to develop modern farms and run them along industrial lines. For this purpose, it was necessary to eliminate Kulaks. Many Kulaks were raided. Under Stalin's collectivisation programme, land of Kulaks was taken away and converted into large modern farms. This programme was severely resisted by the Kulaks, many of whom destroyed their livestock. Those who resisted collectivisation were punished; many Kulaks were deported and exiled. The Duma The Duma was the elected consultative Parliament set-up after the Revolution of 1905. Its members were charged with the responsibility of making laws. The Tsar dismissed the first Duma within 75 days and re-elected the second Duma within three months. The Tsar did not want any questioning of his power. He changed the voting laws and packed the third Duma with conservative politicians. Finally in February, 1917, the Duma was suspended. Many members of the Duma became a part of the provisioal government. Women Workers between 1900 and 1930 In Russia, the women workers constituted 31 per cent of the factory labour force. They were paid less than their men counterparts. In most of the factories, they were paid between half and three-quarters of a man's wage. During the February Revolution, (23rd February, 1917) women led the way to strikes in many factories. Thus, 23rd February was known as the International Women's Day. The Liberals One of the groups which looked to change society were the liberals. They were opposed to the uncontrolled power of the Dynastic rulers. They preferred religious tolerance and wanted to safeguard individual rights. They favoured parliamentary system of government and an independent judiciary. They did not believe in universal adult franchise. They wanted voting rights to be restricted to men of property only. Stalin's Collectivisation Programme In 1927-28, Soviet Russia was facing an acute problem of grain supplies. The peasants refused to sell the grains at the price fixed by the government. Stalin believed that the peasants had surplus grain, but were holding it back, expecting higher prices. So, he introduced the concept of collective farms (Kolkhoz). To develop these farms, it was necessary to 'eliminate Kulaks', take away land from peasants and establish state controlled large farms. From 1929, all peasants were forced to work in Kolkhoz. The Kolkhoz profit was shared by all the peasants who worked on the land. Those who resisted collectivisation were severely punished. Stalin's government allowed some independent cultivation, but treated such peasants unsympathetically.