The Holodomor is an illustrative example of the Mass Atrocities after 1900 topic in Unit 7 of AP World History. You could reference this example on your AP World History test.
The Holodomor, meaning “death by hunger” or “to kill by starvation” in Ukrainian, refers to the man-made famine genocide that occurred in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933. This tragic event, orchestrated by Joseph Stalin’s totalitarian regime, resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians through deliberate policies of food confiscation, forced collectivization, and mass starvation. The Holodomor remains one of the most harrowing episodes of Soviet repression and serves as a symbol of Ukrainian resilience and determination in the face of oppression.
The roots of the Holodomor can be traced back to Stalin’s policies of forced collectivization and rapid industrialization, which aimed to transform the Soviet Union into a modern socialist state. These policies were particularly devastating for Ukraine, the breadbasket of the Soviet Union, where millions of peasant farmers faced violent dispossession of their land and property. The resistance to collectivization led to widespread repression, with thousands of “kulaks” (wealthier peasants) deported or executed, exacerbating food shortages and agricultural disruptions.
The Holodomor reached its peak in 1932-1933 when Stalin’s regime implemented draconian measures to crush Ukrainian resistance and enforce collectivization. The Soviet authorities imposed quotas for grain requisitioning, confiscating food from Ukrainian farmers to meet unrealistic targets. At the same time, strict laws were enacted to prevent Ukrainians from leaving their villages or accessing food from other regions. Peasants who attempted to hoard food or resist collectivization were met with brutal reprisals, including arrest, torture, and execution.
The consequences of these policies were catastrophic, as Ukraine descended into a state of mass starvation and desperation. Millions of Ukrainians, including women, children, and the elderly, perished from hunger-related causes, with reports of cannibalism and mass graves becoming distressingly common. Despite the severity of the famine, the Soviet government denied its existence and actively suppressed information about the scale of the disaster, restricting access to food aid and imposing strict censorship on journalists and foreign observers.
The Holodomor had profound and lasting consequences for Ukrainian society, leaving scars that continue to affect the nation to this day. The trauma of the famine, compounded by Soviet repression and Russification policies, deepened feelings of resentment and mistrust towards Moscow and contributed to a sense of Ukrainian national identity and solidarity. Efforts to commemorate the victims of the Holodomor and seek international recognition of the genocide have gained momentum in recent years, with many countries officially recognizing the famine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people.
Despite attempts by some to downplay or deny the Holodomor’s significance, the memory of the famine remains a potent symbol of Ukrainian suffering and resilience. Memorials, museums, and educational initiatives dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holodomor serve as reminders of the importance of remembrance and vigilance against authoritarianism and oppression. The Holodomor stands as a solemn testament to the consequences of totalitarian rule and the enduring spirit of those who survived and bore witness to one of the darkest chapters in Ukrainian history.
Free Printable Reading Passage on the Holodomor
Do you want to watch a video about the Holodomor?
Mass Atrocities After 1900
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