Keruustarve

Keruustarve, also known as the Great Famine, was a period of severe food shortages and starvation that occurred in Estonia from 1944 to 1947. The famine was a result of the Soviet occupation of Estonia following World War II, which led to widespread economic disruption, forced collectivization of agriculture, and the implementation of harsh policies aimed at Sovietization. These policies included the confiscation of private property, the forced relocation of Estonians to Siberia, and the imposition of strict quotas on agricultural production.

The famine was exacerbated by the harsh Soviet winter of 1946-1947, which further reduced agricultural output and increased the demand for food. The Soviet authorities responded to the crisis by imposing rationing and distributing food aid, but these measures were often inadequate and poorly distributed. As a result, millions of Estonians, particularly in rural areas, suffered from malnutrition, starvation, and disease.

The famine had a profound impact on Estonian society, with estimates suggesting that up to 100,000 people may have died as a result of the crisis. The legacy of keruustarve continues to be a sensitive and controversial topic in Estonia, with many Estonians viewing it as a dark chapter in the country's history. The famine has been the subject of numerous historical and literary works, and it remains an important reminder of the human cost of political and economic upheaval.