REALIZATION OF PRODRAZVYORSTKA IN NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN
On the basis of archival documents and periodicals of that time the artile analyzes the process of implementation of the Soviet food policy during 1920-1921 in Northern Kazakhstan which was administratively subordinate to the Siberian revolutionary committee. The author describes activities of food bodies designated to implement the prodrazvyorstka as the main method of the procurement of agricultural products. Under the policy of prodrazvyorstka bread, meat, oil, milk, eggs, vegetables, tobacco were requisitioned from the Russian-Ukrainian migrant peasant settlers engaged in agriculture. The Kazakh population with their nomadic cattle breeding filled quotas on meat, the local population was obliged to supply live cattle (cattle, sheep). Besides, they had to fill quotas on animal skins, horsehair, horns and hoofs. The prodrazvyorstka was an impossible task for the local population. Moreover, food bodies were supposed to exchange bread and other food products for manufactured products. However due to the industrial and transportation breakdown the Bolsheviks were unable to exchange commodities properly. In their turn peasants tried to resist the grain requisitioning, concealed bread, refused to accept the money which had no payment capability. The Kazakh population showed resistance by moving to the south where the Soviet power had not been fully established. The prodotryads were the main force in implementing the food policy. Their main methods of work were the violent food seizure and suppression of resistance of people. The author reveals the data on the number of prodotryads sent to various uyezds; characterizes methods of prodotryad members aimed at violent withdrawal of the population’s “surplus” bread, meat and other foods; their moral character and misconduct. The high level of requisition quotas along with methods used by prodotryads provoked the peasantry and Kazakh population to the active resistance which turned into bloody revolt at the beginning of 1921. Besides, the prodrazvyorstka became one of the main causes of famine in 1921-1923.