Paper short abstract:

The Czech village underwent fundamental political, economic and social changes during the 20th century. Forcible collectivisation of agriculture changed the social roles of particular actors and determined their place in the historical process. The interpretation of personal and family destinies fills out our historical knowledge of localities.

Paper long abstract:

The concept of work-collaboration in socialist agriculture was based on the belief in the easy conversion of personal and family behaviour patterns. The changeover from private to common ownership was considered only through political and economic categories. Forcible collectivisation of private farms in Czechoslovakia proceeded from 1949 to the mid-1950's. Collectivisation methods were similar in the all countries of socialist block. This influence is apparent also in the language used to present collectivisation in contemporary press reports; however, it is also reflected in the events' interpretation by actors themselves. The shaping of family destinies in the historical framework of collectivisation shows the labyrinth of social relations and ways of interpreting the past lived reality. The social group of persecuted private farmers was very heterogeneous and the means of dealing with the radical change of life values as well as economic and social status were different. Until 1989 collectivisation was presented as a success of the socialist economy. Violence was concealed and belittled. Space to investigate the historical events only opened up in the 1990's, when the archives were partially opened. Studies that analyse the narratives of witnesses and their offspring are still rare. The present contribution is based on the findings of a qualitative research project of 18 private farmers, who were persecuted during collectivisation. Their personal and family stories reflect the creation of Czech villages' historical consciousness. This paper contemplates the interpretation and re-interpretation of events and the process of seeking an identity in a changed world.