Decree on Land

Definition

The Decree on Land, issued by the Bolsheviks in 1917, was a critical legislative measure that redistributed land from the nobility and the church to the peasantry. This decree aimed to eliminate feudal landholding and create a more equitable distribution of land, aligning with the Bolshevik goals of promoting socialism and meeting the demands of the rural population after the October Revolution. It played a foundational role in shaping agrarian policies during the establishment of the Soviet Union.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Decree on Land was one of the first major acts of the Bolshevik government after seizing power in October 1917.
2. The decree abolished private land ownership, which was a radical shift aimed at benefiting the peasantry who had long been exploited by landlords.
3. It encouraged peasants to seize land from their landlords, contributing to widespread land redistribution across Russia.
4. This decree played a vital role in garnering support from rural communities for the Bolsheviks, helping to solidify their power during the early days of the Soviet regime.
5. The implementation of this decree laid the groundwork for later agricultural policies and collectivization efforts under Stalin in the 1930s.

Review Questions

• How did the Decree on Land reflect the Bolshevik ideology and their goals after gaining power?
  • The Decree on Land embodied Bolshevik ideology by prioritizing social equity and addressing long-standing grievances among the peasantry. By redistributing land from nobles and religious institutions to peasants, it fulfilled promises made during the Bolshevik Revolution, aligning with their goal of establishing a socialist state. This move was crucial for garnering popular support and legitimizing their rule during a period of instability.
• Discuss the immediate social impacts of the Decree on Land on rural communities in Russia after 1917.
  • The Decree on Land had profound social impacts on rural communities by empowering peasants to claim land that had previously been out of their reach. This empowerment fostered a sense of ownership and agency among peasants, which helped build a supportive base for Bolshevik policies. However, it also led to chaos as some peasants acted violently against landlords, indicating a rapid shift in social dynamics that would influence future agrarian policies.
• Evaluate how the Decree on Land set the stage for future agricultural policies under Soviet rule, particularly during Stalin's collectivization efforts.
  • The Decree on Land established a precedent for state intervention in agriculture that persisted throughout Soviet history. By abolishing private land ownership, it laid the groundwork for collectivization policies that emerged later under Stalin. This transition marked a significant shift from individual farming to collective farming units, aiming for greater efficiency and control over agricultural production. The early redistribution efforts shaped the relationship between the state and rural populations, influencing how these policies were received when collectivization was enforced.

Related terms

Bolshevik Revolution: The October Revolution of 1917, led by the Bolshevik Party, which resulted in the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the establishment of a socialist state in Russia.

Land Reform: A process through which land ownership and use is restructured, often involving redistribution from large landowners to smaller farmers or state control.

Socialism: A political and economic theory advocating for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.