1932-33 Famine in Kazakhstan
Background
The 1932-33 famine in Kazakhstan, known as the Goloshchekin Genocide or Asharshylyk, was a catastrophic event that resulted in the deaths of a significant portion of the Kazakh population. This famine occurred during the period of Soviet collectivization, a policy aimed at consolidating individual landholdings and labor into collective farms. The famine was part of a series of famines that affected the Soviet Union, including the more widely known Holodomor in Ukraine. The famine in Kazakhstan was particularly devastating due to the region's reliance on pastoral nomadism, which was severely disrupted by Soviet policies.
Causes
The primary cause of the famine was the forced collectivization of agriculture initiated by the Soviet government under Joseph Stalin. The policy aimed to increase agricultural productivity and procure grain for export to finance rapid industrialization. However, in Kazakhstan, collectivization was implemented with little regard for the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Kazakh people. The introduction of collective farms, or kolkhozes, disrupted the pastoral economy, leading to widespread livestock slaughter as herders resisted collectivization efforts.
The Soviet authorities, led by Filipp Goloshchekin, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, pursued a policy known as the "Little October," which aimed to accelerate the transformation of Kazakh society. This policy involved the sedentarization of nomadic populations, confiscation of livestock, and forced grain requisitions. The aggressive implementation of these policies, coupled with harsh climatic conditions, resulted in a catastrophic decline in food availability.
Impact on Population
The famine had a profound impact on the Kazakh population. It is estimated that between 1.5 to 2 million people perished, accounting for approximately 38% of the ethnic Kazakh population. The famine led to a significant demographic shift, with many Kazakhs fleeing to neighboring countries such as China, Mongolia, and Afghanistan in search of food and refuge. This mass migration further exacerbated the demographic crisis, as those who fled often faced harsh conditions and discrimination in their new environments.
The famine also had a lasting impact on Kazakh culture and society. The traditional nomadic lifestyle, which had been the cornerstone of Kazakh identity, was severely undermined. The loss of livestock, a crucial component of the pastoral economy, led to the impoverishment of many families and the erosion of social structures. The famine also contributed to the decline of the Kazakh language and cultural practices, as Soviet policies promoted Russification and the adoption of Soviet cultural norms.
Government Response
The Soviet government's response to the famine was characterized by denial and repression. Despite the widespread suffering, the authorities continued to enforce grain requisitions and collectivization policies. Reports of the famine were suppressed, and those who attempted to speak out were often persecuted. The Soviet government attributed the famine to natural causes and local mismanagement, absolving itself of responsibility.
In the aftermath of the famine, the Soviet government implemented some policy changes in an attempt to mitigate the crisis. These included the relaxation of grain requisition quotas and the provision of limited food aid. However, these measures were largely insufficient and came too late to prevent the massive loss of life.
Legacy
The legacy of the 1932-33 famine in Kazakhstan is complex and multifaceted. It remains a deeply traumatic event in Kazakh history, with lasting implications for the country's demographic, cultural, and political landscape. The famine is often viewed as a genocide, given the deliberate nature of Soviet policies and their devastating impact on the Kazakh population.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to recognize the famine as a genocide and to commemorate its victims. This has included efforts to document the history of the famine, raise awareness, and seek justice for those affected. The famine has also become a focal point for discussions about national identity and historical memory in Kazakhstan.