Recent Events

Ukraine’s Importance• The “Breadbasket of Europe”

Produced 25% of the food for the old Soviet Union

1 out of every 4 workers today is involved in farming

• Natural resources – oil, natural gas, pipeline through the country• Access to the Black Sea

Introduction Video

Video

Facts1924 - Joseph Stalin comes to power1928 – Stalin introduces agricultural

collectivization1928 – Ukrainian farmers refuse

The Soviet Union calls these farmers “kurkuls”

Facts1930 – The Soviet Union claims the lands of

the kurkuls by military force Farmers are shipped “out”

1932 – 1933 – The Soviet Union:1. Instills agricultural quotas2. Blockades cities3. Begins to “starve out” farmers

Death Rate30,000 people a day1/3 of those killed were children under age

ten.A total of 4 million lives

ReadingsQuestion #1In your opinion, which

instance represents the despair of the Ukrainian people the most?

Question #2In your opinion, how could

events like this happen without other countries intervening to stop them?

Discussion