Summary of the Event
The Ukrainian genocide was a forced, man-made famine installed by Joseph Stalin in the early 1930’s. His intent was to undermine the Ukrainian people by depriving them of one of their basic human needs, food. Stalin began this my killing scholars, scientists, cultural, and religious leaders in attempts to remove all guidance and direction from these people. He went on to try to manipulate the small farmers working the land by turning them against the wealthier land owners at that time called “kulaks.” He saw both groups of people as a threat to his ideals. Unfortunately for Stalin, the lower class peasants stood by their fellow landowners. Now nearly all people living in Ukraine at the time were a target of “dekulakization,” an effort to eliminate independent farm holdings and create collective farm units. The Soviet police confisticated farmers of their homes, livestock, wheat crops, and anything else they desired. Those who resisted were shot or deported. A heavy tax was placed on wheat crops, deliberately leaving the now poor and homeless people to starve. People were not able to cross the border or flee to other counties. When other countries sent food and supplies to aid in the famine, all shipments were denied by Soviet authorities. They claimed there was indeed no famine whatsoever. Animals were fed heartily and kept strong while about 25,000 Ukrainians were dying every day from starvation. Stalin continued to raise grain quotas and it’s estimated that more than 10 million people died due to violent executions, deportation, and starvation.

Background of the Cause
With the collapse of the Czarist rule March 1917, it seemed the long-awaited opportunity for independence of Ukraine had arrived. They declared this independence and resurrected their ancient capital of Kiev. This freedom was short lived however when the Soviet Union’s first leader Vladimir Lenin sought to reclaim all the land formerly...