Asharshilyk (The Great Famine in Kazakhstan in 1932-1933 years) D.N. Verhoturov
Introduction
Asharshilyk – in Kazakh means “famine”. This simple word has become a symbol of terrible tragedy and disaster for the Kazakh people - the great famine in 1932-1933 years, when dead about half of the Kazakhs, and hundreds of thousands were forced to run far away beyond Kazakhstan in search of salvation from death.
This terrible tragedy has left a sharp and chopped imprint on the Kazakh people, on their culture and worldview. Huge wounds of the people still weren't quite tightened, and even today's youth acutely perceives the martyr death of the ancestors. This terrible tragedy can not leave anyone indifferent and detached.
Before famine Kazakhstan was the free country that was dominated by voluntary customs of nomads cattle-farmers, and in which practically there were not prisons because of impossibility to support them in the conditions of a nomadic life. Almost all misdemeanors punished by the penalty: ayip or toguz, depending on the seriousness of the offense. But after the famine, when the whole volosts emptied Kazakhstan has become a country of slaves, who were fitting on buildings and production of ore, in the land of huge camps behind barbed wire and place reference. Famine became a prolog to all other disasters which fell upon Kazakhstan, including nuclear tests on the Semipalatinsk range, tests of the bacteriological weapon on Ascension Island on the Aral Sea, resettlements to Kazakhstan representatives of the numerous repressed people, the development of a virgin soil and the related with it ecological disaster. It became possible only because after devastating famine at the leadership of the Soviet Union the image of Kazakhstan as "empty country" in which it is possible to do was strongly and anything fixed for a long time.
In this sense famine was the tragedy not only of Kazakhs, but also all other people who lived before it or appeared against their own will in Kazakhstan.
Certainly, if there was not this devastating famine, the history of Kazakhstan would have gone completely the other way.
The famine in Kazakhstan has never been and will not be a political weapon of struggle than famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine. Famine takes another place. Firstly, it is memory, heavy and painful memory of sufferings and martyr death of hundreds thousands of people. Not to do on the famine the political capital, it is the moral duty of nowadays living people before the dead.
On the other hand, it's fond memories of those righteous people who in terrible years made all efforts for rescue of the relatives or even absolutely casual people, shared with them a piece of bread and a flour handful, took children, helped to settle and get a job. This is an example for all of us as even among revelry of death to remain human and compassionate sufferings of others. Yes there will arrive with them the grace of God!
Finally, it is a searing memory of those murderers who plunged all people into the abyss of the terrible disasters.
Secondly, it is the intention to prevent the recurrence of such terrible disasters in the future, not only in Kazakhstan, but generally in the world. Unfortunately, famine in Ethiopia, in Somalia and in other places shows that from it while nobody is insured, and to indulge to complacency still early. In the world about 800 million people are malnourished and are on the verge of hunger, they need to the help.
This book primarily aims to understand the economic causes of famine in Kazakhstan and to identify those conditions and decisions that led to such unknown economic disaster for Kazakhstan which has eclipsed all largest disasters in the history of the Kazakh people, even Ақтабаң Шыбурыңды (Aktaban Shiburindi) or "Years of great disaster" in 1723 - 1724, when Kazakhs suffered a severe defeat from Djungars. Any jute, even the heaviest, didn't cause such severe famine.
This research is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, since then the geographic and climatic conditions of Kazakhstan changed in the direction of growth of deserts and desertification, and make very difficult conditions for agriculture, as plant-growing and animal husbandry. Studying of the economic reasons of famine allows understanding that it is impossible to do nothing under any circumstances, in order to not cause one more such economic accident.
Secondly, materials of history of great famine allow understanding, how to diagnose similar economic accidents at early stages, and to prevent them while they didn't turn into destructive disaster.
Thirdly, it is experience of fight against famine which has the big relevance as in the regional plan (as in Tajikistan, Afghanistan and other countries people are still, unfortunately, continue to starve), and also in the world plan, for prevention catastrophic famine in other countries, and corrections of policy of the international humanitarian organizations.
This experience needs careful and comprehensive study not only because it is very significant, but also because for it is paid for extremely high price. Memory of the dead appeals to such disaster has never been allowed to continue. Author
Chapter One
Prologue of tragedy
On September 12, 1925 year, from a train at the station Kyzyl-Orda (former Perovsk) was came a man who played a central role in tragedy of immense proportions, which was the largest of those that covered Kazakhstan. His name was Philip Isaevich Goloshchekin. He was an old revolutionary, previously held several positions in Samara province, where he was chairman of the Provincial Council of Workers, Peasants 'and Soldiers' Deputies, chairman of executive committee and was a member in the Provincial Committee of the RCP (b) (Russian Communist Party). Now he had become the first secretary of Kazkraykom RCP (b).
The formalities connected with election of the new secretary were settled very quickly, and already on September 18, 1925 the newspaper “Soviet Steppe” placed biographic article about comrade Goloshchekin on the occasion of him arrival in Kyzyl-Orda. The same article designates also date with which the great tragedy began1.
Not especially disappeared that Philip Goloschekin's promotion on a post of First Secretary of Kazkraykom was appointment, rather than Bolsheviks’ choice of Kazakhstan. Orgburo (Organizational Bureau) RCP (b) under the leadership of Lazarus Kaganovich, with the full support of the Secretary of the Central Committee of the RCP (b) Iosif Stalin, while conduct extensive personnel policy making appointment to the various positions. On the top, in the Central Committee Politburo of RCP (b) in that moment was fierce political struggle, and Stalin, taken the leadership of Organizational bureau, he created a basis of his power, appointing the loyal people. Obviously, Philip Goloshchekin was included by Stalin and Kaganovich in this number, and got an appointment at a sufficiently high office, much higher than all the posts that after Revolution held Goloshchekin. Before that, he successively held the positions of Secretary of Perm, Yekaterinburg and provincial committees of the Ural Regional party, and then was transferred to the Soviet work and held posts the Chairman of Provincial executive committees of the Soviets in Kostroma and Samara provinces. New appointment provides a much wider volume of work as Kazakhstan was much more than any province, and also was higher because Kazakhstan was while Kazakhs Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (KazASSR), which was the part of RSFSR, having own government and own independent People's Commissariat.
On practice which has already established by then the secretary of regional committee actually directed all authorities, and this appointment for Goloshchekin was actually appointment as the head of whole autonomous republic.
His previous biography together with cash conditions that developed in Kazakhstan, allows understanding the logic of this destination. Kazakhstan during the Civil War was the scene of the fighting, many of its regions were heavily ruin. Besides, Kazakhstan already had two waves of famine. First - in 1918-1919 years, the second - in 1921-1922 years, after whose economy of KazASSR restored with great difficulties, and Republic poverty reigned. Because after the revolution Goloshchekin held, predominantly economic posts, he must be in Orgburo RCP (b) was considered a specialist on the farm, and directed in order to help economic reconstruction of the country. Also, according to the comrades of Orgburo, Goloshchekin was acquainted with local conditions, as in 1919 he was a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of Turkic Republics, and in October 1919 - May 1920 he was a member of the Turkic commission of
1 V. Mikhailov Chronicle of great jute. Almaty, "Zhalyn", 1996, p. 16-19
VTsIK (All-Russian Central Executive Committee) and SNK (Council of People's Commissars) of RSFSR. It isn't excluded that his candidate was offered by Kaganovich who in 1922 was delegate of XI Congress of the RCP (b) from Turkestan, and immediately thereafter received appointment from Stalin in Orginstruktorsks department at the Central Committee Secretariat RCP (b) 2.
On the economic purpose of his appointment to the post of Secretary Kazkraykom RCP (b) indicates also that Goloshchekin in 1921 year sometimes was Glavruda's chairman(head controlling ore extraction) and then Kazakhstan perceived as the most important base of color metallurgy and source of copper and lead ores, and also in Samara’s province he actively dealt with economic issues. In particular, there he led Gubposledgol, i.e. Provincial Committee to Combat consequences of famine, and managed to achieve some success. All these circumstances of his biography, obviously, forced to Stalin and Kaganovich stopped on his candidacy.
In view of these facts, in 1925 year, his appointment in Kazakhstan seemed justified and appropriate. Before Goloshchekin enough well showed himself on the party, military, government and economic posts, he was an Old Bolshevik and a revolutionary, was well acquainted with Lenin and Stalin, and from all points of view was seen likely as a reliable and executive fellow hard Bolshevik. This circumstance was emphasized with Goloshchekin's active participation in the organizations of execution of a family of Nikolay II in Yekaterinburg in 1918 year. About this, of course, well known in the Politburo and Orgburo. Signs of that, what Goloshchekin will be engaged in Kazakhstan later, in 1925 weren’t looked through. This opinion about Goloshchekin as the hard Bolshevik and good handyman seen quite a long time kept in the Central Committee, and had impact on a situation as there was a decision about removing Goloshchekin were not easy, and decided only after the economic disaster became apparent. Philip Goloshchekin definitely enjoyed great confidence.
In those years appointments to leading posts in much bigger degree were defined by a political position of this or that party member, his attitude towards party leaders, than real administrative and economic skills. Sometimes such appointments were very successful, as, for example, Felix Dzerzhinsky's appointment to a post at first people's commissar means of communication, and then and chairman of VSNKh (Supreme Soviet of the National Economy). Dzerzhinsky showed their talents of administrator, and managed to achieve the output of railways from a protracted post-war crisis, and then managed to give the initial impetus of industrialization3. Many managers do not understand the technical and economic issues, led through the old specialists. But at that time there were many leaders who could not do anything themselves and no one else have relied. They them suffered on the leading posts only for the political reasons. So the appointment of Philip Goloshchekin in 1925 year was justified from the standpoint the current immediately after the Civil War practice. Of course, the witnesses of Goloshchekin’s arrival in Kyzyl-Orda could hardly assume that this person will bring a terrible disaster to the country. On the background of not yet cooled memory of the Civil War, fights, famines and poverty, his arrival was seen as a not threat.
2 D.N. Verkhoturov Stalin's economic revolution. M., "Olma-Press", 2006, p. 129
3 D.N. Verkhoturov Stalin's economic revolution. M.,"Olma-Press", 2006; S.S. Hromov F.E. Dzerzhinsky on the economic front 1921-1926 gg. M., "Thought", 1977
On the contrary, it isn't excluded that his appointment as many then connected with best hope for a speedy recovery of Kazakhstan and the building of communism.
We so in detail stopped on Goloschekin's arrival in Kzyl-Orda and his biography in order to show that his appointment was obviously not incidental but at the same time was not originally carried a clearly expressed signs of any evil intention which could be born in the Central Committee of RCP (b) or among Stalin's environment. He was transferred to Kazakhstan with the explicit hope that Goloshchekin will be able to raise economy of the republic. These facts allow us to understand the degree of confidence, which he enjoyed until his retirement in 1933 year, and the extent of his personal contribution to catastrophic developments of situation.
It seems that his personal contribution to the economic catastrophe was determining factor. Many researchers, in particular Valery Mikhaylov, repeatedly emphasized that Goloshchekin who was the old revolutionary with a long probation and merits before revolution, probably, didn't receive that power and glory on which counted in 1917. Now he was given authority over the whole autonomous republic, and he apprehended it as opportunity to realize all the unsatisfied revolutionary ambitions. But to this subject we shall return.
Now it should be taken into account, in what state there was at that time Kazakhstan and what was its economy. Goloshchekin’s politics unfolded against the backdrop of the economy KazASSR, which can be defined as a prolonged crisis.
Usually economic condition of Kazakhs ASSR in Soviet literature rated very optimistic: "By the time Kazakhstan slightly recovered from the ravages of civil war and famine of 1921-1922 years. Gross grain harvest in 1925 totaled 92 million poods and approached the pre-war levels; the animal husbandry restored which undermined by hard times ... "4.
But with such an optimistic assessment of the Kazakhstan economy immediately after Civil War can hardly agree. The situation was very heavy, especially after the two waves of famine.
The two waves of famine
The dramatic events of the Civil War caused their economic consequences and the most explicitly reflected in the economic situation. The severe famine which has captured many regions of Kazakhstan was the brightest and visible consequence of Civil war in economy.
The famine in Kazakhstan immediately after the Civil War, very few known and almost never mentioned in the literature. Much attention is attracted terrible famine of 1921 in the Volga region and in Ukraine, to combat all forces which threw the RSFSR and international assistance to fight with which was created "Pomgol." But here about famine in Kazakhstan practically anything essential it wasn't reported. If famine in 1932 could be investigated by eyewitnesses or their children, here are eyewitnesses of earlier famine died long before there were researchers, wishing to understand this question.
Of all the numerous publications on the economic history of Kazakhstan, any details about the famine of 1921-1922 is supplied by only one publication- the collection of the documents "Socialist Construction in Kazakhstan during the Recovery Period (1921-1925 years)", in which included very wide list of documents including some detailed reports by food situation and fight against famine. Separate information is available in other publications.
4V. Mikhailov Chronicle of great jute. Almaty, "Zhalyn", 1996, p. 80
Valery Mikhailov correctly notes: "Some reason when we talk about famine in the steppe then immediately meant famine of 30 years. But in Kazakhstan, it was the second famine. The first was in 1919 - 1922 years. Therefore, when researchers will deal with this issue, it should be divided into first and second periods "5. Indeed, the first two waves of famine also became one of the causes of hunger in 1932 year, and they were a significant economic factor that should be considered Goloshchekin. Thus it is necessary to pay attention to this issue.
The difficulties of agriculture in Kazakhstan began immediately with the beginning Civil War. In 1917 in agricultural areas it was observed the crop failure, and in the winter of 1917/1918 years came jute6. While jute marked in 1916/1917 years7. It should be noted that the observation of the Kazakhs, large jute there were usually associated with the year қoyan (hare) the traditional 12-year Mushel. Some jutes even got their names. Jute in 1867 / '68 years - zhalpak koyan zhity, in 1879/1880 years - uly koyan (great hare), in 1891/1892 years - kіshі koyan (little hare), and in 1915/1916 years - takyr koyan (naked hare)8.
The lack of the food became notable at once, and in April of 1918 year the question of crops on all free lands rose before Vernensk Party organization, i.e. food shortages are being felt in one of the most productive areas of Semirechye. In 1919, state crops already practiced, the entire crop from which was at the disposal of food authorities.
The civil war, guerrilla actions accompanying it and banditry are also very strongly undermined possibilities of agriculture in Kazakhstan. Combat operations mainly conducted on the territory of the main grain areas, located in the Northern Kazakhstan.
Certain contribution to deterioration of situation in agricultural production made the surplus-appropriation system, which preparing significant amounts of grain brought, meat, wool, skin and another products. A surplus-appropriation system, that entered by SNK decree on January 11, 1919 year, provided delivery of all agriculture products, from above legislatively established consumer norm, for needs of the organization of supply of army and the population in RSFSR. At the end of 1919 – the beginning of 1920 when White Guards in Kazakhstan were crushed, the surplus-appropriation system was entered into KyrRepublic (Kyrgyz Republic).
According to a surplus-appropriation system in 1920/1921years it was prepared:
Bread-700, 8 thousand of poods, Millet – 411, 9 thousand of poods,
Meat – 280 thousand of poods, Wool – 24, 6 thousand of poods,
Leather – 215 thousand of units9
5V. Mikhailov Chronicle of great jute. Almaty, "Zhalyn", 1996, p.
6 G.I. Chulanov, B. Ishmuhamedov., P.I. Antonov, M.M. Rozmanov -Essays of the history of the national economy Kazakh SSR (1917-1928 years) v. 1. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1959, p. 25
7S.A. Neustadt -The socialist transformation of the economy of the Kazakh SSR in 1917-1937 years (from pre-capitalist relations to socialism, by passing capitalism). Alma-Ata, "Kazakh State Publishing ", 1957, p. 26
8Kazakhs economy at the turn of XIX-XX centuries. Materials for the historical and ethnographic atlas. Alma-Ata, "Science", 1980, p. 80
9G.I. Chulanov, B, Ishmuhamedov., P.I. Antonov, M.M. Rozmanov- Essays of the history of the national economy- Kazakh SSR (1917-1928 years) v. 1. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1959, p. 36
According to other sources, only during the existence of the surplus-appropriation system in Kazakhstan has collected 4.02 million poods of meat. The agriculture of Kazakhstan weakened by two jutes in a row, poor harvests, in a number of areas ruined by military and guerrilla operations, numerous requisitions, was influenced also by blow surplus-appropriation systems. The reason of sharp reduction of quantity of cattle in 1920-1921 years there were, no doubt, large-scale preparations to surplus-appropriation system.
In general, Kazakhstan was considered as one of the most important regions of animal husbandry therefore even in the spring of 1921, after introduction of the tax in kind, the Council of People's Commissars of RSFSR expected to collect 2, 57 million poods of meat, of which 0.58 million poods accounted for the tax in kind the rest expected to receive by barter and purchase for money10. KASSR People's Commissariat for Agriculture also counted on a quite good crop of 1921 year, with gross collecting in 86 million pounds, which had to give surplus to 26 million tons of grain11.
However, the outcomes of the Civil War in agriculture were quite disappointing. Number of livestock decreased in 1920 year to 16.3 million of heads versus 29.9 million of heads in 1913 year (according to the Central Committee of the CEC Pomgol KASSR, the figures are somewhat different: in 1917 year - 29.7 million of heads, in 1920 year - 9.7 million of heads)12. Cultivated area has fallen from 4.1 million hectares to 3.2 million hectares. Gross grain yield decreased by 26% in comparison with 1913 year13. The total figures do not reflect the real situation, because in some provinces due to fighting crops decreased in times: in the Ural province more than doubled, in Semirechensk province – in three times.
In other words, the possibilities for the production of food products in Kazakhstan declined sharply, and now even the average yield could lead to a food shortage. This fact is noted by the Central Committee Pomgol at the CEC (Central Election Commission) KASSR: "In view of such significant reduction of cultivated area and loss of livestock, we could calculate that even with an average yield partial famine KASSR would have been inevitable.14" At the beginning of 1921 the agriculture of Kazakhstan was in such state that was one adverse factor that accident burst enough. This circumstance again will repeat subsequently at collectivization; the agriculture reached to approximately same sharply critical condition. In 1921 falling in agriculture proceeded. The cattle livestock according to the Central Committee Pomgol fell to 6,2 million of heads, and a cultivated area to 3,04 million hectares15.
10S.A. Neustadt -The socialist transformation of the economy of the Kazakh SSR in 1917-1937 years (from pre-capitalist relations to socialism, by passing capitalism). Alma-Ata, "Kazakh State Publishing ", 1957, p. 126
11G.F. Dahshleyger, K Nurpeisov., History of the peasantry of Soviet Kazakhstan. T. 1. Alma-Ata, "Science", 1985, p. 97
12Socialist construction in Kazakhstan in the recovery period (1921-1925 years.). Collection of documents and materials. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1962, p. 198
13 G.I. Chulanov, B. Ishmuhamedov., P.I. Antonov, M.M. Rozmanov- Essays on the history of the national economy Kazakh SSR (1917-1928 years) v. 1. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1959, p. 32
14-15Report of the Central Committee at the CEC Pomgol KazASSR Against Famine, June 20, 1922 - Socialist Construction in Kazakhstan in the recovery period (1921-1925 years.). Collection of documents and materials. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1962, p. 198
The disappearance of an additional 3.5 million of heads of cattle and a reduction of crops on 200,000 hectares in itself created a very tense food situation, which turned into economic disaster by drought of summer 1921 year.
It was a very severe drought, the main damage of which was in arid regions of Kazakhstan. Completely lost harvest in the Ural, Orenburg, Aktobe, Kostanay regions16. In these areas during normal moisture, precipitation hardly suffices for average wheat growing conditions and an amount of precipitation only on 50-60 mm exceeds stocks of the moisture necessary for average conditions of vegetation of wheat17. The drought, the almost complete absence of measures to detain the snow and the accumulation of moisture in the soil in 1921 year, led to the death of the crop. However, due to different local conditions, the position of the harvest could differ greatly from county to county, and in some of them the crop, allowing to hold on at least till spring could be reaped. RSFSR was held differentiation of counties. If the in county yield made less than 6 pounds per capita, it admitted starving.18.
KASSR People's Commissariat for Agriculture cruelly miscalculated an assessment of prospects of a crop. In 1921 year actual collection was only 4.7 million poods, while hungry food ration and seed fund needed at least 22.1 million poods of grain19. The plan of collecting the food for an allotment which else continued, it was executed for only 17, 5%, and from 22 million poods of grain only 6 million poods are collected20. However, because of the drought in 1921 year, the peasants did not could pass any surplus appropriation system or tax in kind.
In December of year 1921 in five areas and Adaevsk county of KASSR (with total population of about 2.5 million people), 1.2 million people or 48% starved. Famine accrued from the most affected counties, in which wasn't absolutely any crop, to less injure. But at the beginning of spring of 1922 when all poor stocks were eaten, famine burst at full force. According to rough estimates In April of 1922 year in Kazakhstan about 2.3 million people or 92% of the population were starved. Regarding the status of nomadic areas at this time there is practically no information, however, we can assume that there was a mass migration in the more favorable areas.
In other areas of the RSFSR situation was much more complicated. In poor harvest provinces, according to reports of the Central Committee of Pomgol at VTsIK, lived 31 million 714 thousand people21. Number of hungry people in Kazakhstan amounted to 7.2% of the total number of hungry people in the same year. The first reaction to this situation was the formation in July of 1921 year at the Central Election Commission Kirghiz (Kazakh) ASSR Central
16 G. Kang- History of Kazakhstan. Almaty, "Almatykitap", 2005, p. 172
17 From experience of development virgin and lay lands in Kazakhstan (collection of articles). Alma-Ata, "Kazakh State Publishing House ", 1955, p. 12-16
18 Y.A. Poles. 1921-th year -Victory over hunger. M. "Politizdat," 1975, p. 16
19G.F. Dahshleyger, K Nurpeisov., History of the peasantry of Soviet Kazakhstan. T. 1. Alma-Ata, "Science", 1985, p. 97
20G.F. Dahshleyger, K Nurpeisov., History of the peasantry of Soviet Kazakhstan. T. 1. Alma-Ata, "Science", 1985, p. 60
21Y.A. Poles. 1921-th year -Victory over hunger. M. "Politizdat," 1975, p. 18
Commission for Famine Relief, which was headed by Comrade Chairman Kazakh Central Executive Committee Mandeshev. In July 18, 1921 year, the Central Committee Pomgol was formed and headed by Chairman of the Central Executive Committee, M.I. Kalinin. Pomgol in Kyr Republic was formed almost simultaneously with the formation of the central Pomgol.
The main mean in the fight against famine was the distribution of state rations for starving. They cover not whole population, but, nevertheless, the volume of distribution, according to the Central Committee Pomgol was quite significant. State rations for starving included 10 pounds (4 kg) of bread, 6 pounds (2.4 kg) of cereals and 4 pounds (1.6 kg) of meat per month22.
In November of 1921 year, in the territory covered by modern Western Kazakhstan, distributed 139,000 rations. In January-February of 1922 year distributed 171,850 rations. But already in March the number of state rations for starving sharply increased. In March-May has already distributed 392 thousand rations23. Food assistance encompassed about 17% of hungry people at the peak of the famine. According to the Central Committee of Pomgol the Kazakh SSR for seven months, from November of 1921 year to May of 1922 year were distributed 1 million 810,700 state rations for starving. It required distribution approximately 72,400 of tons of grain, 4.3 thousand tons of cereals and 2,800 tons of meat.
State ration for starving included a predetermined quantity of food, mainly bread, flour, cereals and vegetables. He could be given to the starving in two forms. In agricultural areas it is often given through the canteen at which from state rations for starving prepared hot food. In nomadic areas big distribution was gained by delivery the state ration for starving in a dry form, though 173 nutritious yurts also were open. Also with food rations, starving supplied shoes, clothing, essentials, and to them received medical help24.
Food assistance was provided through other channels. In the same report, the CC of Pomgol indicated that the American Committee for Relief ARA opened in Kazakhstan in 1549 canteens with the issuance of 297,759 rations per day. International Working Committee for Famine Relief in April-May of 1922 year, provided 10,097 rations a day, intended for workers in industrial enterprises, that very few then in Kazakhstan. The Red Cross has provided some time food to 14,000 people a day. In the Ural province worked medical and nutritional detachment from Ukraine, which in March was distributing 4000rations per day. Finally, the Quakers sent in Kostanay Province 60 wagons of grain25.
22 G.I. Chulanov, B. Ishmuhamedov., P.I. Antonov, M.M. Rozmanov- Essays on the history of the national economy Kazakh SSR (1917-1928 years) v. 1. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1959, p. 130
23Report of the Central Committee at the CEC Pomgol KazASSR Against Famine, June 20, 1922 - Socialist Construction in Kazakhstan in the recovery period (1921-1925 years.). Collection of documents and materials. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1962, p. 198
24 G.I. Chulanov, B. Ishmuhamedov., P.I. Antonov, M.M. Rozmanov- Essays on the history of the national economy Kazakh SSR (1917-1928 years) v. 1. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1959, p. 111
25Report of the Central Committee at the CEC Pomgol KazASSR Against Famine, June 20, 1922 - Socialist Construction in Kazakhstan in the recovery period (1921-1925 years.). Collection of documents and materials. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1962, p. 200
Estimate the loss of population from famine is very difficult due to the extreme lack of reliable data. Population decline of Kirghiz (Kazakh) ASSR from 1914 to 1922 years is estimated at about 1 million people, according to other 1.7 million people. However, without a doubt, some of them died during the Civil War, part of the population migrated, and some part loss, apparently is attributed to the imperfection of statistical accounting of the population, especially the boundaries of the autonomous republic while repeatedly changed. Loss from famine in 1921 - 1922 years can be estimated approximately in the range from 200 to 400 thousand people. Judging by the documents in Kazakhstan at that time was not observed mass mortality, such mortality from starvation in the Volga region and in the Ural. To this order of figures points also number of the children who have been brought together in orphanages.
The active help to the starving allowed in June, 1922 of the Central Committee Pomgol at Kazakh Central Executive Committee to draw a conclusion: "Judging by the latest data arriving with that, it is necessary to believe that hunger in KASSR is considerably weakened"26.
Subsequently, Kazakhstan has had a very broad support in the food supply and the rehabilitation of agriculture. Till October 1, 1922 year, 1 million 402,4 thousand poods of the food from which 251,1 thousand poods it was sent from other provinces of RSFSR and from parts of Red Army were collected, and 143,2 thousand poods are collected at the expense of donations and assignments27. External non-governmental assistance amounted to 28% of the total harvested food for republic. The remainder was come to the centralized rescue of the state and collecting oft ax in kind for the Autonomous Republic. All the tax in kind and purchased by barter bread was in 1922 year booked for a republic.
In sowing campaign in 1922 Kazakhstan has received considerable support of seeds, which amounted to 60% of the seed fund. In 1923-1924 years 11, 5 million poods of seeds were sent to Kazakhstan and 3, 8 million rubles of money advance28 especially for needs of agriculture recovery. Farmers for a long time could not give seed loan issued during the famine years, and it was delayed until the harvest in 1924 year, and many farms altogether exempt from its return29.
Famine does not back down in 1922 year. Some of its manifestations on provinces and counties were observed until 1925 year. For example, in March-April of 1923 year, the entire Northern Kazakhstan and adjacent areas of Siberia were covered by sporadic famine. According to the State Information Summary, which were drafted in the OGPU, in the Ural province about 70,000 children starved, in Akmola county there were 24 thousands of starving and in Tarski border county of Omsk province does starving 30-40% of the population30.
26Report of the Central Committee at the CEC Pomgol KazASSR Against Famine, June 20, 1922 - Socialist Construction in Kazakhstan in the recovery period (1921-1925 years.). Collection of documents and materials. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1962, p. 202
27 G.I. Chulanov, B. Ishmuhamedov., P.I. Antonov, M.M. Rozmanov- Essays on the history of the national economy Kazakh SSR (1917-1928 years) v. 1. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1959, p. 130
28S.A. Neustadt -The socialist transformation of the economy of the Kazakh SSR in 1917-1937 years (from pre-capitalist relations to socialism, by passing capitalism). Alma-Ata, "Kazakh State Publishing ", 1957, p. 131
29"Soviet steppe», № 1, 20 November of 1923 year
30Soviet village acoording to OGPU. 2 T. 1923-1929. Documents and materials. M., "Rosspen", 2000, p. 74, 91, 96
Immediately after the suppression of famine there was the urgent task of restoring agriculture and increase food production as KyrRepublic could not live only at the expense of external sources. But with recovery of agriculture and increasing plowing had great difficulties associated with the maximum low technical level of the industry. According to estimates of the Commissariat KASSR at minimal consumer normally required to provide reserves in the amount of not less than 60 million poods of grain31. Given a yield of 92 million poods, the reserves of grain only allowed covering the needs and something to direct for seeding. The harvest in the dry steppe zone was very unstable, and the sizes of plowing were very minor. On the average in the first half of the 1920th years the farming sowed 5,8 hectares, the average annual crop made 6,2 centners from hectare. Thus from 10 years 3-4 years were barren, when the harvest was usually 1.5-2 centners per hectare, or even less. In lean years, farmers barely returned sown grain. Features of droughty climate of Kazakhstan, multiplied by a primitive agro technology, and total absence of actions for moisture detention, in particular affected. Situation with cattle was better; the quantity of cattle by 1926 year doubled in comparison with spring of 1922 year, from 7, 8 million heads to 13, 5 million heads32. But it was only not much more, than Kazakhstan had in 1920 year (13, 1 million heads). Thus level of marketability of animal husbandry didn't exceed 7-10%.
The technological level of agriculture, even in plant growing was the lowest. According to data in 1920 year in Kazakhstan were in the use of 317, 5 thousand wooden ploughs, the roes deer and sabans, 207, 8 thousand wooden harrows, 30, 9 thousand iron harrows, and only 8234 horse seeders. Tractor and more difficult agricultural cars appeared only when there was Soviet the authority, and also were an extraordinary rarity. Certainly, KyrRepublic’s guide made huge efforts for delivery to Kazakhstan the agricultural tools as far as it could be made in those conditions when plants only began to rise after military ruin, and purchases abroad were very limited. Yet, the efforts have certain result. In 1923-1925 it were imported 21691 ploughs, 1089 seeders, 22594 harvesting machines of different types, 1155 threshing machines, 391 tractors33. But also it was very little, in particular taking into account huge spaces of Kazakhstan and a large number of almost not cooperated country farms (in 1926 year 1220668 farms are considered34). Cooperative movement then wasn't far a driving force in agriculture. Valery Mikhailov leading figures of Cooperatives in 1925 year: 2811 co-operatives, which consisted of more than 320 thousand households35, 26.2% of the farms. At the same time, not all co-operatives were manufacturing, a large part of them was the consumer, sales, credit co operations.
31G.F. Dahshleyger, K Nurpeisov., History of the peasantry of Soviet Kazakhstan. T. 1. Alma-Ata, "Science", 1985, p. 97
32 G.I. Chulanov, B. Ishmuhamedov., P.I. Antonov, M.M. Rozmanov- Essays on the history of the national economy Kazakh SSR (1917-1928 years) v. 1. Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1959, p. 112-113
33S.A. Neustadt -The socialist transformation of the economy of the Kazakh SSR in 1917-1937 years (from pre-capitalist relations to socialism, by passing capitalism). Alma-Ata, "Kazakh State Publishing ", 1957, p. 196
34 G.U. Chulanov, B.M. Ishmuhamedov, T.V. Checheleva, Z.G. Zhubanov- Essays about the history of the Kazakh SSR national economy. T. II. (1928 - June 1941.). Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1962, p. 228
35V. Mikhailov Chronicle of great jute. Almaty, "Zhalyn", 1996, p. 80
Economy Kazakh ASSR was completely dependent on agriculture. In gross output the agricultural sector occupied 84, 4%, and separately animal husbandry – 48, 5%36. With such parameters, in KAZASSR was extremely limited space for economic maneuver. Similar situation didn't give up special hopes for fast and dynamic lifting of this main branch of economy of KAZASSR. Gross agricultural output only in 1927/28 reached the prewar level, i.e. in 1925 year; talk about the restoration was very, very early. On the contrary, the state of agriculture at the time can be estimated as a state of protracted crisis, with a slight tendency towards improvement.
The level of industrial development, transport, and communications in KyrRepublic in the mid-1920-th years was stunningly low. Practically there was no processing of agricultural production, to such an extent, that the main part it was simply taken out by raw materials out of borders of the republic. The live cattle, because of the extremely poor development of meat-processing, were taken out. The only industry that before the revolution grew vigorously in Kazakhstan was the handling and embossing of leather. During the Civil War, this industry has made a major contribution to the victory of the Red Army with the delivery of footwear and equipment, and after the war became the leading industry in KyrRepublic. Its value retained long enough. Leather industry and on the eve of the first Five-Year Plan gave 22% of industrial production in KAZASSR. But at the same time, 75% of large hides, 96% of small hides, 98% wool and all the cotton, ambary, horsehair, bristles, guts, furs - totally exported from Kazakhstan. Then there was so weak industry that now it is hard to believe. In 1924 year, from the companies of the Supreme Economic Council worked 57, yet 22 enterprises have been leased, and 153 - were closed37.
Was extremely underdeveloped transport, which did not allow redistributing on the territory of the republic food if it was necessary. And the transport, which at that time was widely, using animal-drawn draft, itself, demanded a large amount of fodder grain and hay. The development of railways was very low. In 1925 year there were only 3241 km of railways, of which 266.5 km were built during the construction season in 1924 year38.
The poverty of the republic was felt in everything, and it can be felt even now. V. N. Velman's brochure "A national economy of KSSSR and our immediate tasks" was printed on exclusively nasty paper and gathered by five different fonts that speak about extreme deficiency of typographical letters in printing house. Even if the government has experienced such difficulties, what we talk about all the others?
So that economic policy was then the main and most urgent task in Kazakhstan. The economy demanded attention and was far from clear how to solve numerous problems.
The first speeches
It would seem, in such conditions Philip Goloschekin has to with the head to plunge into a thick of economic problems and to be engaged in their decision. Here works was with a surplus.
36S.A. Neustadt -The socialist transformation of the economy of the Kazakh SSR in 1917-1937 years (from pre-capitalist relations to socialism, by passing capitalism). Alma-Ata, "Kazakh State Publishing ", 1957, p. 199
37V.N. Welman, - National economy of CEB and our immediate tasks. Orenburg, 1924, p. 23
38G.F. Dahshleyger -Turksib - firstborn socialist industrialization (essays about the history of construction Turksib). Alma-Ata, "Publisher of the Kazakh SSR," 1953, p. 32
However, this did not happen. Already in his first report on the V-th All-Kazakhstan Conference, which opened in the 1 of December, in 1925 in Kyzyl-Orda, i.e. 10 weeks after arriving in Kazakhstan, Goloshchekin said not about the development of economy of the republic, but about the policy of Sovietization village. In fact, he picked up an official position of the Central Committee of RCP (b) which else in 1924 year decided that the Soviet power in the Kazakh auls was not present. Goloshchekin in the conference read a letter to the Central Committee of the RCP (b) the Bolsheviks of Kazakhstan, which was tasked with the creation of Soviet power in auls: "the Central Committee, considering that in KyrRepublic Concils are in especially difficult situation and actually in auls the Councils were not present, considers necessary to take all measures to the valid creation the Soviet the authorities in auls and kishlaks …"39.
However, we can not say that Goloshchekin did not understand the difficulties of the situation in Kazakhstan. He fully understood which is why in his later report he linked the slogan Sovietization of the auls with all the most acute problems in Kazakhstan at the time: "To say that in Kazakhstan there is no Soviet power - not true. There is the Soviet power here but if to raise more widely a question of Sovietization of Kazakhstan, as of the organization of masses, as the issue of form in which occurs if you want, national self-determination, a form in which it is possible to carry out cultural and political growth, the form creating economic release, the form releasing from under operation, we have to tell that we have huge shortcomings” 40.
Slogan of Sovietization of the aul many authors perceived as expression Goloshekin’s plans to arrange a famine in Kazakhstan. The role of this policy in the premises of famine in 1932 year will be discussed later on, but for 1925 year it's hard to agree. Here it is necessary to take into account several factors that prompted Goloshekin to such solution. Firstly, it was his performance after the first appointment on the highest office after the revolution, and he had to justify imposed on him confidence, though the demonstration of loyalty rate of CC Party on this question. Reference to the letter of the Central Committee and the thesis of the Sovietization of the auls this task quite adequate.
Secondly, the analysis of economic problems took a lot of time and greatly complicated by the fact that it was difficult to obtain information and organized statistics did not then in Kazakhstan. In 1925 year, in Orenburg was released handbook "All Kazakhstan for 1925-1926 years," in the introduction to which was clearly stated: "... With a view to publishing the accuracy of materials received any direct and official materials from the most remote organs of whole republic ... based only on direct information from these locations, and not subordinate magazines, which are often incorrect"41.
This is a direct admission that the statistics in KAZASSR then was very bad, especially in the departments. But the author of the handbook "journalist- invalid" A. Bolshakov, was able to collect only the most general reference information about various industries. He has not the data that would characterize the dynamics of the economy of the republic. Many data were outdated, as data on crops, which are brought at his sources for 1923 year. Therefore Goloschekin on the first time of the stay in Kazakhstan simply couldn't receive any clear and reasonable ideas of economy, in particular peasant and cattle breeding. He could not take the necessary data nowhere. And, as we shall see later, there was also no certainty regarding economic development
39-40V. Mikhailov Chronicle of great jute. Almaty, "Zhalyn", 1996, p. 81-82
41All Kazakhstan for 1925-1926 years. Orenburg, 1925, p .. 35
of Kazakhstan and the ways to overcome numerous problems.
In its report Goloshchekin spoke primarily about politics and Sovietization of the aul, and it was great fault, given reduced circumstances. But later, he not only corrected the the theses of first performance, not only held on to them in every way, even in the face of unprecedented economic catastrophe, but have not spent any work that would have helped him get a proper economic policy. The economic leadership of Kazakhstan under his supervision reached use of the forged, exaggerated figures in planning and drawing up tasks on bread and to meat purveyances. Further we will try as far as it available materials will allow analyze this mechanism of self-deception.
Chapter two
To plow or to graze?
In a further statement we should leave for a while Philip Goloschekin and his politician and to go deep into details of the economic provisions in Kazakhstan in the 1920th years and also to track peripetias disputes round a course of further development of the republic. These disputes were very sharp, accompanied by political accusations, but at the same time they show that the question of how to develop Kazakhstan was far from simple, was far from straightforward, and there were various standpoints.
But firstly need to still devote little attention to the traditional types of agriculture in Kazakhstan - the leading sectors of the economy in 1920th years. There are three types: Kazakh cattle breeding, Kazakh irrigated agriculture, as well as a European-style farm (Russian or Ukrainian) with a combination of agriculture and cattle breeding.
Kazakh cattle breeding
The cattle breeding economy at that time was a main type of rural economy in Kazakhstan, not without reason it occupied such huge share into republic economy. It was also the main source of livelihood for the majority of the population of Kazakhstan, and gave a very small proportion of marketable products. Due to the weak development of transport, due to the lack of knocking areas, refrigerators and meat processing plants, and also food industries, animal husbandry almost developed in the direction of commodity production, and was conducted almost the same methods that hundreds of years ago.
In ethnographic materials collected in the second half of XIX -beginning of XX century in Kazakhstan, the Kazakh nomadic herding was very described in detail. But, unfortunately, whole and systematic description of herding appeared only in the 1980-1990's, that is a lot of time after the disaster. In the early twentieth century system nomadic cattle breeding has been studied very badly, and that played a major role in economic catastrophe. «Nomadic economy is still so much terra incognita, that it is difficult to meet with it in literature "- wrote V.A. Ostafyev42.
Nomadic herding in Kazakhstan has developed in very peculiar conditions. The most important geographical factor was that the main pastures were in transition band, which runs between 48 and 50 degrees of north latitude. To the north the climate was much colder, winter continued for 5 months, winter temperatures dropped to -45 degrees and below. Abundance of snow impeded to cattle pasturing. To the south the desert zone in which the climate was hot and droughty: the winter continued about 1 month, small loss of snow and its short detention, in the summer temperature rose to +45 degrees that led to burning out of herbs43. These geographical conditions created radically different requirements for livestock grazing.
42V.A. Massanov -Problems of social and economic history of Kazakhstan on a boundary of XVIII-XIX centuries- Alma-Ata, "Science", 1984, p. 10
43Kazakhs economy on a boundary of XIX-XX centuries. - Materials for the historical and ethnographic atlas. Alma-Ata, "Science", 1980, p. 59
Enough to say that for pasturing of sheep required a minimum of 5-7 hectares in the steppes and 12-24 ha of semi-deserts and deserts44. On all territory of Kazakhstan the conditions for a pasture of cattle were unequal, often mosaic. Therefore the cattle should be overtaken from one pasture on another.
Availability of feed and water determine the composition of the herd. To feed a sheep required annual 1314 kg dry weight of feed and 1.5 cubic meters of water. At this, of 288 species of plants only 167 species eaten by sheep45. Because the sheep ate the most plant species and could drink almost any water, even with salinity up to 10 g / l, it is not surprising that sheep were the basis of the herd among Kazakhs. On average sheep were 60%, but the proportion of sheep in Mangishlak reached 85%.In contrast, cattle breeding could eat all 48 species of plants and require fresh water with a salinity of less than 2.5 g / l, then these kinds of cattle averaged 12.3% of the herds. In this the major share of cattle was in northern Kazakhstan, where suitable feed and fresh water were, and where the proportion of the herd reached 30%.
I.E. Massanov identified two types of livestock farming. First characterized by long year-round migrations through wells, share sheep was 60% and wintering in waterless areas. The second was characterized by uniform nomadism with summering to wintering; share of cattle was 25-30%, with long wintering livestock housing46.
Dry climate and low productivity of pastures, made all year round to keep the cattle out at feed, didn't allow passing on the most part of steppes and semi-deserts to settled cattle breeding and agriculture, and forced to move after cattle. This was essence of the nomadic economy, according to S.I. Rudenko, consists of three principles:
1. Cattle breeding as main occupation.
2. The year-round maintenance of cattle on underfoot to forage taking into account heterogeneity of pastures.
3. Active lifestyle of majority of population47.
For successful nomadism had an excellent knowledge of the composition vegetation in specific tracts, its degree of palatability cattle, the time of vegetation, pasture and water availability into account numerous other factors related to weather, to determine the time route and migrations. Modern authors emphasize that not even all aksakals had such thorough knowledge of the nature and climate to ensure successful nomadism. Therefore, as a rule, even the head of the race unquestioningly obey those who have had such experience.
However, the degree of development of the nomadic economy was different for different regions of Kazakhstan. Fully nomadic Kazakhs were Kazakhs of Mangyshlaksk, Temir, Atbasar, Kazalinsk, Irgiz, Turgay counties that were in the arid zone, which feeds on pastures were few and villages were forced to constantly overtake it from one pasture to another.
44-45-46I.E. Massanov -Nomadic Civilization of Kazakhs- (base life migratory habits of society). Almaty "Sotsinvest" - M., "Horizon", 1995, p. 29, 67, 84
47S.I. Rudenko- Question about the form of livestock farming and nomadism. / / Geographical Society of the USSR. Materials on the department of ethnography. Part 1. L., "Science", 1961, p. 3-5
Nomadic routes ran from the well to the well, which was created very much. In 1873 year in Mangyshlak there were 1133 wells48. These wells were long-term, and were often operated till 150-200 years. Not a rarity there were the wells constructed in the XVIII century. But also many wells dried and became useless therefore annually on Mangyshlak nomads dug, according to various data, from 200 to 600 new wells. In deserts many pastures were suitable only in the summer, or on the contrary, only in the winter, like islands on the Aral Sea on which it was possible to graze cattle only in the winter when there it was possible to pass on ice and a code there was a snow. In the summer there it was possible to be lost from lack of drinking water. In a number of places of Kazakhstan of a condition were so different for winter and summer that they compelled to wander for the long distances. For example, Kazakhs of southern Atbasar County each year wandered to a distance of 1,000 km, to the river Chu49. In other places, where conditions were more favorable, migrations occurred at a distance of 10-15 km. Some farms have roamed over a distance of 2500 km, making up to 107 stops a year50.
Most common in beginning of XX century type of Kazakh livestock farming was extensive semi-nomadic economy, which combined nomadism (usually from winter to summer pastures and vice versa, at a distance of 20-50 km), half stall nomadism and content with haying (44 to 96% of households in various counties of the Central and Eastern Kazakhstan) with a long hibernation and irrigated agriculture51. In Semirechye even cultivated alfalfa forage for feeding of livestock52.
However, the main part of cattle contained in semi-nomadic farms on underfoot to a forage also it was overtaken from a pasture on a pasture. There existed two systems of a stage. The first, the most difficult, provided separate pastures for four seasons: winter, spring, and summer, autumn. The second way provided pastures for autumn-winter and spring - summer seasons.
The most difficult was to provide grazing in winter, and wintering were an essential element of a semi-nomadic economy. From them literally depended life of livestock farming. Small auls stood on the wintering, from 5 to 25 households. The number of livestock is strictly limited by capacity of the winter pastures.
On wintering cattle grazed usually separately. On wintering pasture grounds shared on parts, for different cattle. The most distant there were pastures for horses - atarkan where it was driven away herds of horses, usually in 400-500 heads, sometimes to 1500 heads. Horses drove away on 100-200 km from wintering. To wintering sheep pastures – koytebein were closest, in radius no more than 3-4 km from wintering, on which graze kotan sheep, usually about 300-400 heads. Separately allocated pasture for calves - bzauzherі and for dairy mares – biezherі53.
48-49Kazakhs economy on a boundary of XIX-XX centuries. - Materials for the historical and ethnographic atlas. Alma-Ata, "Science", 1980, p. 70, 76
50V.A. Massanov -Problems of social and economic history of Kazakhstan on a boundary of XVIII-XIX centuries- Alma-Ata, "Science", 1984, p. 10
51Kazakhs economy on a boundary of XIX-XX centuries. - Materials for the historical and ethnographic atlas. Alma-Ata, "Science", 1980, p. 87-89
52Kazakhs. Historical and ethnographic research. Almaty, "Kazakhstan", 1995, p. 32
53Kazakhs economy on a boundary of XIX-XX centuries. - Materials for the historical and ethnographic atlas. Alma-Ata, "Science", 1980, p. 79