The use of labour of forced migrants - “former kulaks” - in the logging industry of the Northern territory in the 1930-s

In modern historiography the problem of forced labour is considered from two points of view. Supporters of the first one consider violent measures of Stalin’s modernization which have led to huge human losses, and make conclusions on the inefficiency of use of forced labour. Supporters of the second one think that as a result of modernization Russia in the XX-th century was transformed from agrarian into the industrial country, therefore it is impossible to identify the Soviet period only with GULAG’s history. The Northern territory which structure in 1929-1936 included the Komi Autonomous (since 1936 - the Komi АSSR, since 1991 - the Republic of Komi), the Arkhangelsk and Vologda regions, is a vivid example of the region which industrial development has been directly connected with use of forced labour of forced migrants and prisoners. In the Northern territory the labour of forced migrants was used with a view of development acceleration of logging and timber industries. In 1934 at the enterprises of timber industry of the Northern territory 48038 labour migrants with family members (adults and children) were registered.Despite the directives of the authorities to the maximum use of forced migrants, despite the Stakhanov movement and record-setters in work productivity among the forced migrants, constant housing and domestic problems and insufficient supply did not allow the logging enterprises to achieve high labour productivity and efficiency of work of forced migrants. The country leaders in the 1930- 1950-s did not see any alternatives to forced labour in industrial development of the North, given the difficult living conditions of forced migrants, that had led to great human losses and to constant necessity to replenish the workforce through new flows of forced migrations.