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What is Holodomor — The Tragic History of The Worst Man Made Famine

Mind Marvel 6-7 minutes 3/11/2023

From starvation to resilience, explore the devastating impact of one of the worst man-made famines in history.

Holodomor Famine | Source: Wikimedia Commons

Have you ever heard of the Holodomor? Chances are no, unless you’re a history buff or Ukrainian.

The Holodomor was one of the worst man-made famines in history, and it’s important that we know about it!

What is Holodomor & How it Happened?

The Holodomor was a man-made famine that occurred in Soviet Ukraine from 1932–1933.

This was the outcome of numerous elements, including collectivization policies, crop failures, and Soviet policies that prevented the distribution of food to those who needed it most. The result was a catastrophic famine that killed an estimated 2.5–7.5 million people.

The Holodomor was implemented through a series of policies and actions by the Soviet government. One such policy was collectivization, which forced farmers to give up their land and animals and join collective farms. This led to a decrease in productivity, as farmers were no longer motivated to work hard if they didn’t have ownership of their own land.

Additionally, Soviet policies prevented the distribution of food to those who needed it most, instead prioritizing the needs of the Soviet state over the needs of the Ukrainian people.

The Devestating Impact of The Famine of Holodomor

Victims of The Famine | Source: Wikimedia Commons

When I talk about the Holodomor, i’m not just talking about a tragic event that happened almost a century ago.

We’re talking about a legacy that still echoes in Ukraine and beyond. The impact of the Holodomor was devastating, both in terms of human life and the country’s cultural identity.

Let’s start with the numbers — it’s estimated that between 3.3 to 7.5 million people died during the Holodomor.

That is basically more than the entire population of Los Angeles. Those who survived were often left with lifelong health problems, including stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and mental health issues. The scars of the Holodomor would stay with the lucky individuals who made it out alive, for the rest of their life!

It wasn’t just the physical toll that was so devastating. The Holodomor also had a profound impact on the Ukrainian people’s cultural identity. The Soviet government saw the Ukrainian language and culture as a threat to their power, and the Holodomor was a deliberate attempt to crush that identity.

Ukrainian intellectuals, artists, and political leaders were targeted and killed, leaving a void in the country’s cultural landscape that would take decades to fill.

The impact didn’t stop at Ukraine’s borders. The Holodomor damaged the Soviet Union’s international reputation, with many countries condemning the Soviet government’s actions. It also had a significant impact on agricultural production, as the country struggled to recover from the damage caused by the famine.

Despite the devastating impact of the Holodomor, the Ukrainian people have refused to let it define them. Instead, they have used it as a rallying cry for their cultural identity and their fight for independence. The Holodomor serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

The Aftermath of Holodomor Famine

Famine Victims | Source: Wikimedia Commons

The effects of the Holodomor on Ukraine were significant and long-lasting. The famine not only led to a decrease in population, but many were forced to migrate to the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian language and culture were also suppressed by Soviet policies, further eroding the country’s identity.

The Holodomor affected the Soviet Union as a whole, damaging its international reputation and decreasing agricultural production. In the aftermath of the famine, the Soviet government continued to prioritize the needs of the state over the needs of the people, leading to further tragedies such as the Great Purge.

The international response to the Holodomor was mixed. Some countries, such as the United States, recognized the famine as a man-made tragedy and offered aid to Ukraine. Others, such as the Soviet Union’s allies, denied that a famine had occurred or blamed it on natural causes.

Comparing Holodomor Famine to Famines of The Past

The Great Indian Famine | Source: Wikimedia Commons

Let’s face it, when it comes to man-made famines, there’s no shortage of options to choose from.

From the Great Leap Forward in China to the Ethiopian famine of the 1980s, history is rife with examples of governments causing devastating food shortages for their own citizens. But how does the Holodomor stack up against the competition?

Let’s think of some of the other equally devastating famines from the past. The Great Leap Forward was an action first campaign launched by the Chinese government in the late 1950s that aimed to transform China into a modern, industrialized nation.

However, the campaign had disastrous consequences for China’s agricultural sector, leading to a famine that is estimated to have killed between 15–45 million people.

So where does the Holodomor fit in? Well, in terms of scale, it’s right up there with the Great Leap Forward. Both famines killed millions of people and had a devastating impact on their respective countries. However, what sets the Holodomor apart is its deliberate implementation by the Soviet government.

While the Great Leap Forward was the result of misguided policies and a lack of understanding about how to manage an economy, the Holodomor was a deliberate attempt to crush the Ukrainian people and their culture. The Soviet government intentionally prevented the distribution of food to Ukraine in order to break their spirit and bring them under Soviet control.

Key Takeaways!

The Holodomor was one of the worst man-made famines in history, causing the deaths of millions of people and leaving a lasting impact on Ukraine and the Soviet Union.

It’s important that we learn about the Holodomor and other man-made famines in order to understand the devastating impact of government policies on the lives of ordinary people.