Stalin Confiscates Grain from Kulaks

In early 1928, Joseph Stalin traveled to Novosibirsk, where he accused kulaks, or wealthier peasants, of hoarding grain. This accusation led to a directive for the arrest of these kulaks and the confiscation of their grain supplies. Stalin's actions were part of a broader strategy to control agricultural production and ensure that grain was available for urban populations and state needs. Following his orders, grain procurement squads were deployed across West Siberia and the Urals. These squads were tasked with seizing grain from the kulaks, which resulted in violent confrontations between the squads and the local peasantry. The conflict highlighted the tensions between the Soviet government and the agricultural sector, as many peasants resisted the confiscation of their resources. The grain that was confiscated was transported back to Moscow, where it was intended to support the growing urban workforce and bolster the state's food supply. This aggressive approach to grain procurement marked a significant escalation in Stalin's policies towards agriculture and the kulaks, setting the stage for further collectivization efforts in the following years.