Collectivization in Prykarpattia during the second sovietization of Western Ukrainian Lands

Abstract

The article analyzes the socio-economic situation of Western Ukrainian lands, in particular Prykarpattia during the second Sovietization of Western Ukraine. The main aspects of the creation of collective farms are revealed, the forms and methods of struggle of the Soviet system against free owners are analyzed. The process of deportation of the Ukrainian population has begun. The article reveals the main aspects of the arrival of Soviet power in Western Ukraine and Prykarpattia in particular. When they came to power, the new owners began to actively implement their management system. The largest owners in the villages were dispossessed, collective farms and state farms were formed. Elements of the substitution of concepts of culture when churches, houses of culture and «Enlightenment» were closed are revealed. The process of economic transformation is analyzed, when the industry began to work on industrialization and collectivization. The article describes all spectra of collectivization in the Carpathians in the period under study. The rural population was transferred to working days, the ban on working on their own land, which was later withdrawn, and all those who disagreed were sent to Siberia or Mordovia. It is also noted that the region’s population reacted differently to the arrival of Soviet power: the landless population believed that they would finally receive land and equipment, so they often helped the Soviets to dekulakize wealthy landlords. The process of collectivization was rapid, so that Western Ukraine did not lag behind Central and Eastern Ukraine. The memories of the local population show us that the whole process of collectivization was painful and without taking into account the interests of the population.

Keywords

• Prykarpattia
• second Sovietization
• economy
• agriculture
• collectivization