THE STATE-SOCIETY INTERACTION THROUGH THE FAMINE OF 1932-1933 (the Tambov Region case)

An experience of the Soviet State - Russian society relations through the 1932-1933 famine is under analysis. The approaches of different authority levels (local, regional, central) to the famine problem are viewed as well as their foundations of the electoral tactics. Special attention is focused on the local and regional authorities as they held the keys to the people’s welfare. The activities of the political departments with their authorization, covering and interaction the people and local authorities were studied to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. The “famine tactics” and behavior of rural population is also viewed. The roots of profiteering and normal trade are traced to clear their role to solve the crisis. The effectiveness and the lawfulness of the trials and their verdicts to the officials and the ordinary collective farmers are evaluated. The sources of the investigation are kept in the State Archives of Social and Political History of the Tambov Region.

collective farm, grain procurement, political departments, profiteering, Complaints Division, famine