A "kulak" refers to a relatively affluent peasant in Russia, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term originally described farmers who owned larger farms and employed laborers, distinguishing them from poorer peasants. Kulaks played a significant role in the agricultural economy but became targets during the Russian Revolution and subsequent Soviet policies. Under Joseph Stalin, kulaks were often blamed for economic issues and class struggles. The Soviet government implemented policies to eliminate kulaks, leading to widespread repression, confiscation of property, and forced collectivization. This campaign aimed to redistribute wealth and consolidate agricultural production under state control.