Background of Bulgarian Farms
After World War II, Bulgaria was influenced by the Soviet Union, unlike other Eastern and Central European countries. Until 1944, most Bulgarian farms were small or medium-sized and privately owned. It was common for peasant families to own some land. By 1946, about 57.9% of peasants owned between 12.5 and 50 acres of land, while only 3.9% owned between 50 and 125 acres. This shows that land ownership was widespread, with most families having a stake in agriculture.
Characteristics of Farms in the 1930s
In the 1930s, the distribution of farm sizes in Bulgaria was as follows:
Farm Size (acres) Percentage of All Farms Characteristics
Up to 2.5 11.78% Very small
2.5 to 5 12.31% Very small
5 to 12.5 32.86% Small
12.5 to 25 28.13% Medium
25 to 75 14.30% Big
More than 75 0.67% Large-scale
The Start of Collectivization
In April 1945, the new authorities under the Fatherland Front implemented a policy to create collective farms. This process of collectivization was marked by extreme violence and intimidation. Peasants faced harassment, assaults, and even killings as the government seized their land and farming equipment. This included plows, carts, tractors, and livestock like oxen, horses, cows, and sheep.
Communist Policies Intensify
On July 12 and 13, 1948, a plenary session of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party endorsed a Soviet-style economic model for Bulgaria. They called for intensified efforts against wealthier peasants, known as kulaks, and urged a broader class struggle in rural areas. This marked a peak in the conflict between the Bulgarian communists and the rural population, particularly from 1950 to 1954 Guided Tour Istanbul.
The Impact of Collectivization
By 1958, the situation had changed drastically. Collective farms controlled 92% of all arable land, impacting about 93% of households in the country. This transformation altered the landscape of Bulgarian agriculture and significantly affected rural life.
The forced collectivization of Bulgarian agriculture reshaped the country's farming system, moving from privately owned small and medium-sized farms to large collective farms under government control. This transition was achieved through coercion and violence, deeply impacting the lives of countless peasants. The legacy of this period continues to influence Bulgaria's agricultural practices and social structure today.
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