Living and working conditions of rural people changed more in the period from 1917 to 1964 than in the period from 1855 to 1917. How far do you agree?

The question of whether rural living and working conditions changed more in the period from 1917 to 1964 than in the period from 1855 to 1917 is a complex one. While both periods witnessed significant changes, the scale and intensity of transformation experienced during the Soviet period, particularly under the policies of collectivisation and the Second World War, arguably surpass the changes of the earlier period. However, it is crucial to consider the hardships endured by the peasantry in the pre-revolutionary era and the limitations of the reforms implemented after the emancipation of the serfs.

Supporting the view that rural living and working conditions changed more in the period from 1917 to 1964.

The period from 1917 to 1964 saw unprecedented changes in rural Russia. The Bolshevik Revolution ushered in a period of radical transformation, with the implementation of collectivisation as a cornerstone of the Soviet economic model.

The forced collectivisation of agriculture, begun in the late 1920s, had a devastating impact on rural communities. The brutal removal of private land ownership and the establishment of collective farms (kolkhozes) resulted in the displacement of traditional peasant lifestyles. Peasants who resisted were labelled as kulaks (wealthy peasants) and subjected to persecution, often facing execution or exile. This period saw mass starvation, with millions dying in the Holodomor, the man-made famine in Ukraine. The collectivisation process forcibly transformed the social structure of rural Russia, leaving behind a legacy of hardship and resentment.

The Second World War further exacerbated the suffering of rural communities. Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union devastated rural areas, leading to the destruction of infrastructure, farmland, and livestock. The Soviet scorched-earth policy, intended to deny resources to the invading forces, further compounded the devastation. The war years saw widespread displacement of populations, forced labor, and a decline in agricultural production, leading to further hardship for rural people.

The creation of agro-towns, designed to house workers on collective farms, represented a significant shift in rural living arrangements. These communities often lacked amenities and proper housing, highlighting the austere conditions faced by those working on the kolkhozes.

Challenging the view that rural living and working conditions changed more in the period from 1917 to 1964.

While the Soviet period undeniably brought about profound changes, it is crucial to acknowledge the harsh realities faced by the peasantry before 1917. The emancipation of the serfs in 1861, while a monumental event, did not guarantee economic security or improve living conditions for the majority of rural Russians.

The emancipation act failed to provide sufficient land for the peasants, leading to continued dependence on the mir (village commune) system. This system often resulted in inefficient land allocation and hampered individual initiative. Despite the hope for land ownership, peasants continued to struggle with poverty and indebtedness. The "wager on the strong" strategy implemented by Stolypin, aimed at creating a class of prosperous farmers, failed to benefit the majority of peasants. His policies, while aimed at improving agricultural efficiency, ultimately led to the displacement of smallholders and further concentration of land in the hands of the wealthy.

The First World War further strained the rural economy, increasing food shortages and exacerbating poverty. The war's demands on agriculture drained resources and led to widespread unrest among the peasantry. This pre-revolutionary context, marked by poverty, limited opportunities, and social instability, provides a stark picture of the hardships faced by rural Russians prior to 1917.

Conclusion

The rural living and working conditions of Russians underwent significant changes in both periods. While the period from 1917 to 1964 witnessed dramatic transformations, often at a heavy human cost, the hardships faced by the peasantry before 1917 should not be underestimated. The Soviet policies of collectivisation and the Second World War resulted in immense suffering and a radical restructuring of rural society. However, the limitations and failures of the reforms implemented in the post-emancipation era, coupled with the ongoing struggles of the peasantry before the revolution, underscore the depth of the challenges faced by rural communities in both periods. Ultimately, the comparison between the two periods requires a nuanced understanding of the complexities and hardships experienced by rural Russians throughout both epochs.