Man, you`ve beaten me in a pulp. I was trying to win a title of `` Most heartless AH member`` by carefully and methodically comparing human cost of collectivization and alternatives, and you go to all-out forcing labour as an alternative

Seriously speaking, ANY kolkhoz is better than forced labour camp. Ppl tend to equate collectivization and Holodomor. But, although latter was direct result of former, it was an unintended consequence, not the purpose of the deal (I think that this whole filthy ``Stalin did Holodomor to kill Ukrainians`` business belongs in the same hall of shame as blood libel). Ppl lived in their own homes, with their families, were allowed to keep animals (cows, goats, fowl etc.) and veggie patches big enough to supply tatters, cabbage and beets for whole year. Not a luxurios living, mind you, but beats forced labour camp, even relatively benevolent one, hands down.