8 stages of genocide
Gregory H. Stanton, the President of Genocide Watch, defined race extermination as a eight-step process. The Soviet Holodomor was a typical example that fully carried out all of the eight stages.
1. Classification
Similar to other ultra-nationalist societies, Joseph Stalin clearly drew the boundary between "us" and "them". Safety was solely guaranteed to the supporters of collectivization. Meanwhile, Ukrainians, who were seeking for independence and freedom, were subjected to discrimination, suppression, and prosecution. They were being secluded from the U.S.S.R. "utopia".
2. Symbolization
Ukrainian farmers were referred to as the "Kulaks". Kulaks were wealthy, prosperous peasants. They owned large farms and several heads of cattle and horses and were financially capable of employing labor and leasing land. Stalin had found a lot of commonalities between Kulaks and capitalists. Therefore, independent farmers instantly became the enemy of the nation. In 1929, several examination commissions were established around the country to review individual profiles, especially focusing on government officials and rural farmers, in order to unveil the cover of capitalist "spies". The commissions filed the amount of land, livestock, and agricultural equipment owned by each individual. Contribution and loyalty to the Soviet Union were also checked. Individuals who had close connections with the Kulaks were also enlisted on the name lists sent to the government.
1. Classification
Similar to other ultra-nationalist societies, Joseph Stalin clearly drew the boundary between "us" and "them". Safety was solely guaranteed to the supporters of collectivization. Meanwhile, Ukrainians, who were seeking for independence and freedom, were subjected to discrimination, suppression, and prosecution. They were being secluded from the U.S.S.R. "utopia".
2. Symbolization
Ukrainian farmers were referred to as the "Kulaks". Kulaks were wealthy, prosperous peasants. They owned large farms and several heads of cattle and horses and were financially capable of employing labor and leasing land. Stalin had found a lot of commonalities between Kulaks and capitalists. Therefore, independent farmers instantly became the enemy of the nation. In 1929, several examination commissions were established around the country to review individual profiles, especially focusing on government officials and rural farmers, in order to unveil the cover of capitalist "spies". The commissions filed the amount of land, livestock, and agricultural equipment owned by each individual. Contribution and loyalty to the Soviet Union were also checked. Individuals who had close connections with the Kulaks were also enlisted on the name lists sent to the government.
3. Dehumanization
In Vladimir Lenin's work "Comrade Workers, Forward To The Last, Decisive Fight!" first published on 17 January 1925, he described the Kulaks as "bloodsuckers", "vampires", "plunders of the people and profiteers". He encouraged his dear social workers to riot against the Kulaks because they were demon-like, ruthless creatures that posted a high risk on public security. V.I. Lenin also blamed the Kulaks responsible for existing issues like inflation and starvation in the country.
The following quotations were evidences of the Bolsheviks denying the identity of Ukrainian farmers:
"These leeches have sucked the blood of the working people and grown richer as the workers in the cities and factories starved. These vampires have been gathering the landed estates into their hands; they continue to enslave the poor peasants."
- Lenin’s Collected Works, Progress Publishers, Moscow, Volume 28, 1965
"The kulaks are the most brutal, callous and savage exploiters, who in the history of other countries have time and again restored the power of the landowners, tsars, priests and capitalists. The kulaks are more numerous than the landowners and capitalists. Nevertheless, they are a minority."
- Lenin’s Collected Works, Progress Publishers, Moscow, Volume 28, 1965
The U.S.S.R. government officially portrayed Ukrainians as subhuman spies from the capitalist societies. It compared the existence of Kulaks to pests and poisons.
Another useful tool to deliver hatred messages out to the public was through propaganda posters.
In Vladimir Lenin's work "Comrade Workers, Forward To The Last, Decisive Fight!" first published on 17 January 1925, he described the Kulaks as "bloodsuckers", "vampires", "plunders of the people and profiteers". He encouraged his dear social workers to riot against the Kulaks because they were demon-like, ruthless creatures that posted a high risk on public security. V.I. Lenin also blamed the Kulaks responsible for existing issues like inflation and starvation in the country.
The following quotations were evidences of the Bolsheviks denying the identity of Ukrainian farmers:
"These leeches have sucked the blood of the working people and grown richer as the workers in the cities and factories starved. These vampires have been gathering the landed estates into their hands; they continue to enslave the poor peasants."
- Lenin’s Collected Works, Progress Publishers, Moscow, Volume 28, 1965
"The kulaks are the most brutal, callous and savage exploiters, who in the history of other countries have time and again restored the power of the landowners, tsars, priests and capitalists. The kulaks are more numerous than the landowners and capitalists. Nevertheless, they are a minority."
- Lenin’s Collected Works, Progress Publishers, Moscow, Volume 28, 1965
The U.S.S.R. government officially portrayed Ukrainians as subhuman spies from the capitalist societies. It compared the existence of Kulaks to pests and poisons.
Another useful tool to deliver hatred messages out to the public was through propaganda posters.