Copy of The Holodomor

Examination of the Holodomor, which occurred during Stalin's rule in the early 1930s.
Structure of today's lesson:
- Brief notes on background information.
- Watch a related video clip.
- Read and annotate an eyewitness account.
- Watch a second video clip connecting the Holodomor to current events.

The Holodomor
- A man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine lasting from 1932 to 1933.
- Definition of famine: A severe shortage of food affecting a large number of people, resulting in sickness and death.
- Holodomor: Translates from Ukrainian as "death by hunger."
- Estimated total deaths: Between 3.5 million and 5 million, although precise numbers are difficult to confirm due to Soviet censorship and repression.

Complex Causes
- Like most famines, no single cause can be identified; however, significant blame lies with Stalin and Soviet policies, particularly collectivization.
- Ukrainian farmers were compelled to surrender their harvests to the government.
  - Portions of grain were allocated to industrial workers.
  - Excess grain was exported to generate revenue for industrialization efforts.
Consequences of Non-compliance
- Villages failing to meet grain quotas faced severe repercussions, including:
  - Confiscation of livestock.
  - Being blacklisted, leading to denial of food and supplies.
  - Systematic searches by Soviet agents for any remaining food.
- In January 1933, borders of Ukraine were closed to prevent peasants from fleeing.

Grain Confiscation
- Images depicting grain being confiscated by Soviet authorities.
Starvation Depictions
- Images of starving Ukrainian villagers and corpses, highlighting the devastating impact of the famine on the population.

In the lesson, there will be an analysis of an eyewitness account of a Holodomor survivor.
Students are encouraged to read, annotate the document, and answer questions for class discussion.

Discussion on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict that began in February 2022, examining the overlays of historical tragedy with modern events.