Short Answer 
The Soviet Union’s collectivization required peasants to join collective farms and meet government quotas, which led to severe food shortages and widespread starvation due to the surrender of all harvests. The USSR, active from 1922 to 1991, was a centralized communist state with a focus on socialist policies, often employing repressive measures against dissent.
Step 1: Understanding Collectivization
The process of collectivization in the Soviet Union required peasants to join collective farms where they had to surrender their individual produce. This meant that farmers were not allowed to keep any food until they met the government-set quotas. The aim was to increase agricultural productivity, but it led to unforeseen consequences such as severe food shortages.
Step 2: Consequences of Quotas
As the quotas became more challenging to meet, many peasants struggled to grow enough crops. The consequences included:
- Peasants often had to surrender all their harvests, leaving them with nothing for personal sustenance.
- The government took much of what was produced to supply the military and urban centers.
- This resulted in dramatic food shortages and ultimately widespread starvation across the region.
Step 3: Overview of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union, officially known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), was a significant communist state that existed from 1922 to 1991. It was characterized by:
- A federal union of multiple national republics, which included various ethnic groups.
- A highly centralized government and economy that dictated all aspects of life.
- An aim to promote socialist policies but often resulted in repressive measures against dissent.