The Great Famine

Gr 9 Up—Following World War I and the Russian Revolution of 1917, Bolshevik policies disrupted agricultural production and combined with a drought to cause a devastating famine that claimed approximately five million lives in Soviet Russia. This made-for-television documentary combines actual film footage, narration, commentary by historians, and primary source material to illustrate America's response to a monumental natural disaster. The focus is on Herbert Hoover, who became known as "the master of emergencies" due to his humanitarian response and establishment of the American Relief Administration (ARA). Hoover's placement of dedicated relief workers helped administrate and distribute medicine, bread, seeds, and agricultural advice to peasants. Thwarted by extreme weather, corrupt railroad officials, and lice, many relief workers contracted Typhus and died. Hoover persisted and promoted the slogan, "food to stop Bolshevism," resulting in the ability to provide food for more than 11 million Soviets a day. Archival footage, such as scenes of camels pulling wagons through mud, is fascinating and at times gruesome. A male narrator describes the timeline of events as black-and-white photos and film show starving peasants, many dead bodies, and a segment on cannibalism in which children were reported eaten by their parents. Not for sensitive viewers, this program would be a valuable visual accompaniment for high school or undergraduate college history classes.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia Jr. Sr. High School, NY