Who were kulaks in Russia?
(A) Rich farmers
(B) Poor farmers
(C) Low-paid workers in factories
(D) Muslim leaders

Hint: Kulaks were considered to be financially strong. They were capable of employing hired labour and leasing land. They were major figures in peasant villages. Also, Kulak means “fist” in Russian.

Complete step by step answer The kulaks in Russia were Rich farmers. They were well to do peasants who owned their own land and were considered to be the landlords of rural Russia. They owned large farms, headed several cattles and horses, and were financially capable of employing hired labour and leasing land. They imposed on the peasantry a tax to use their pastoral lands.

Additional Information: The land of serfs was owned by the peasant commune, after the serfdom was abolished in 1861. This commune was formed from the peasants who were once serfs to the common landlords. As the landlords kept all their forested and pastoral lands, so now serfs were not able to graze their cattle on pastoral land.

So, the correct answer is an option (A).

Note: The kulaks were considered enemies of the working class and it was a political matter to how to treat the kulaks. They bribed local officials to prevent conscription into the army and grabbed up the communal land in a free-for-all. These kulaks bought communal land where they could and as the communes refused to sell their land despite threats and pressure, they came into a new era during World War I.