BOLSHEVIK ORGANIZATIONS IN THE BELARUSIAN COUNTRYSIDE IN 1921–1928: COMPOSITION AND INFLUENCE ON ECONOMIC PROCESSES

Abstract

The role of rural party organizations of the CP(b) is analyzed)B in the implementation of agricultural policy during the NEP years. At the first stage (1921-1926), the influence of party structures on the economy was minimal, since the new economic policy did not provide for regulation of production. It was impossible to include every peasant farm in the sphere of party influence. The number of Communists in rural cells (3-10 people) did not allow this to be done. One rural cell covered several parishes. In 1927, the party and state leadership set a course for industrial cooperation in the village. Village cells have become a mechanism for implementing this policy. The rural Communists, who were not ready for this, used methods of coercion against the peasants. The use of repressive measures by the village party organizations against the peasants was determined by the policy of the highest party leadership. A number of members of village cells understood the absurdity of the new line in the countryside, but, being part of a huge party mechanism, they were forced to implement the imposed decisions. The author did not reveal any active opposition to the party's policy on the part of rural party organizations.