Introduction to the Ordinance
On November 27, 1950, the Bulgarian Communist Party Committee in the village of Yablanitsa, located in the Teteven district, declared certain individuals as kulaks, labeling them as enemies of the people. The names listed included Dimiter Mikov Markov and his sons, Dako Neikov Jakimov, and Dako Vutkov and his sons. This decision meant that these individuals would face severe restrictions.
Restrictions Imposed
The ordinance stated that the village council and other state services would no longer provide assistance to the named individuals. They were prohibited from visiting local restaurants or pubs and could only purchase salt from village shops. Any failure to follow these rules would result in harsh punishment. Copies of the ordinance were to be displayed in public areas and given to restaurant and shop staff, ensuring everyone was aware of the restrictions.
Impact on Bulgarian Peasants
For centuries, Bulgarian peasants owned land and livestock, but this system changed dramatically with the rise of collective farming. Peasants were transformed into landless laborers working on collective farms controlled by local party officials. This shift from private ownership to collective management marked a significant change in the lives of many Bulgarians.
History of Cooperative Farming
Cooperative farming in Bulgaria has its roots in the 1920s. By 1935, there were already 1,239 cooperative farms. However, after the communist regime took power on September 9, 1944, these cooperatives were dismantled. The government imposed the kolkhoz model, which was a type of collective farming typical in the Soviet Union. By the end of the 1950s, Bulgaria, a country with strong farming traditions and a predominantly rural population before World War II, had no private farms left Customized Daily Istanbul Tours.
The Demographic and Economic Impact
This transformation caused serious demographic, economic, and social harm to Bulgarian society. The loss of private farms disrupted the livelihoods of many families and changed the rural landscape forever. The collective farms were often inefficient and poorly managed, leading to decreased agricultural productivity.
Growth of Collective Farms
The number of collective farms and households involved in them grew rapidly from 1944 to 1957. Here are some key statistics:
Year Number of Collective Farms Number of Households
1944 17 649
1945 382 34,000
1946 480 41,000
1947 549 46,000
1948 1,100 124,000
1949 1,601 156,000
1950 2,501 502,000
1951 2,739 582,000
1952 2,747 553,000
1953 2,744 569,000
1954 2,723 569,000
1955 2,735 591,000
1956 3,100 911,000
1957 3,202 1,017,000
1959 3,972 1,290,000
The persecution of kulaks and the push towards collectivization had a profound impact on Bulgaria's agricultural landscape. The transformation from private farms to collective farms altered the fabric of rural society, leading to widespread hardship and loss of traditional ways of life. This period remains a significant chapter in Bulgaria's history, illustrating the struggles faced by the rural population under communist rule.
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