ABSTRACT
In Poland, the policy of forced collectivization was initiated belatedly and implemented reluctantly. Even after a purge of the party leadership resulted in the creation of a new central committee publicly committed to the program, the regime never imposed as harsh or as consistent measures against the rural population as did the other countries of Eastern Europe. Because of the late start and relatively mild prosecution that characterized Poland's collectivization drive, the policy was less affected by the New Course here than in other nations. However the program was brought to an end during the political crisis of 1956 when over 90 percent of all existing cooperatives dissolved.
