role of women and family change between 1917-85 4.2

What was the purpose of the Zhenotdel?

To promote the status of women within socialist notions of equality.

What was the Bolshevik ideological justification for liberating women from domestic drudgery?

The communal organization of household chores and childcare.

What legal changes regarding marriage were introduced by the Bolsheviks in 1917?

Divorce was made easier and abortion was legalized.

What specific marital obligations were abolished by the Bolsheviks?

The requirements for a woman to obey her husband, live with him, and take his name.

What change did Lenin suggest regarding the term 'baba' in 1918?

He suggested that the derogatory term for a woman be banned.

What did the 1918 Soviet constitution declare regarding gender?

That men and women were equal.

What was a negative consequence of the easier divorce laws for women?

70 percent of divorces were initiated by men, often abandoning pregnant women without financial support.

What primary factor drove the increase of women in the workforce during the civil war (1918-21)?

The practical need for industrial workers rather than ideological notions of equality.

How many women fought in the Red Army during the civil war?

Over 70,000.

What was a common long-term outcome for women in the workforce after the civil war ended?

Many lost their jobs as soldiers returned to civilian life, and they were often relegated to unskilled positions.

What social issue reflected the desperation of urban women following the 1921-22 famine?

A rise in prostitution.

Who was Alexandra Kollontai?

A leading Bolshevik, head of Zhenotdel, and the first woman to be a member of a government in Europe.

What was Kollontai's view on sexuality?

She believed it was a human instinct as natural as hunger or thirst.

What was the primary challenge in changing the status of women in Central Asia?

The deeply entrenched, male-dominated, polygamous family structure.

What was the 1927 campaign in Central Asia focused on?

The unveiling of women.

How did some traditionalist groups in Central Asia react to the Bolshevik reforms regarding women?

With violent resistance, including attacks on meetings and 'honour' killings.

When and why was the Zhenotdel closed down?

In 1930, under the claim that women's issues had been solved.

What was the impact of forced collectivization on rural women?

Many men left for towns, leaving women to carry the burden of agricultural labor.

What was the 'Workers Opposition' group?

A group supported by Kollontai that opposed Lenin's plans to remove power from trade unions.

What was the attitude of the male-dominated Party toward women's issues?

It was generally half-hearted.

What were the main barriers to women remaining in the workforce after the civil war?

Traditional attitudes that women were unsuitable for heavy manual work and concerns over pregnancy and maternity leave.

What was the government's goal regarding childcare during the civil war?

To provide crèches for all young children, though they lacked the resources to implement this.

What happened to Kollontai's influence after 1921?

It waned, and she was sent to represent the Soviet government in Norway.

What did the Soviet government do regarding Muslim women's status in the 1930s?

They adopted a softer, more gradual approach to changing attitudes.

Why was agricultural work in the Soviet Union considered low status?

It offered low wages and fewer services compared to industry.

How did the Second World War affect the gender balance in Soviet rural areas?

It caused a severe shortage of men due to conscription and war losses, leaving many villages populated only by women and children.

What was the 'double burden' faced by Soviet women?

The expectation to work in a wide range of occupations while still being responsible for all housework and childcare.

What change in 1974 allowed collective farm workers more freedom to seek urban employment?

The extension of the internal passport system to collective workers.

How did the number of female workers in the Soviet Union change between 1928 and 1940?

It rose from three million to over 13 million.

Who was Praskovia Angelina?

A tractor driver used as a role model to encourage and motivate the female workforce.

What percentage of higher education places did the government reserve for women in 1929?

20 percent.

What was the primary role of the 'wives of the Soviet elite' in the 1930s?

They were encouraged to perform 'social work' rather than enter the workforce.

What was the purpose of the magazine 'The Socially Active Woman'?

It targeted elite wives to reinforce social divisions among women.

Approximately how many women served in the Soviet armed forces during the Second World War?

About 800,000.

What roles did women serve in during the Second World War besides medical units?

Pilots, machine-gunners, and tank crews.

Who was the first woman to become a people's commissar?

Alexandra Kollontai.

What was the significance of Alexandra Kollontai's career?

She was the first female ambassador in history and served as Commissar for Public Welfare.

Who was the first woman to become a full candidate member of the Party's top body (the Presidium)?

Ekaterina Furtseva.

When did another woman finally join the Party's top body after Ekaterina Furtseva?

September 1988, with the appointment of Alexandra Biryukova.

What happened to many women's employment status after the Second World War ended?

Many lost their jobs or were relegated to unskilled roles as men returned to civilian life.

In which industrial sector were women most heavily concentrated?

Light industry, especially textiles.

How did the Soviet government view women's participation in active combat in 1941?

They initially turned away female volunteers, not considering women suitable for active combat.

What was the highest military award received by 89 Soviet women during the war?

Hero of the Soviet Union.

What was the primary driver for women entering the workforce in the 1930s?

Economic necessity and the pressure of the Five-Year Plans.

How did the status of rural women change during the Khrushchev and Brezhnev years?

It improved slowly through the extension of social provisions like health care and maternity benefits.

What was the trend regarding young males and the internal passport system after 1974?

Young males were more likely to use the freedom of movement to leave for towns, leaving agricultural work to females.

What was the percentage of women in the Communist Party in 1932?

16 percent.

How did the Soviet Union's view on gender-specific work compare to the West in the 1950s?

The line between male and female work was much more blurred in the Soviet Union than in Western capitalist countries.

How did the Soviet government use propaganda to influence women?

Posters and statues presented images of the ideal socialist woman to encourage active participation in the state.

Who was the first woman in space?

Valentina Tereshkova, in 1963.

Which Soviet figure skater won ten successive world championships?

Irina Rodnina.

What was the primary difference between the propaganda images of industrial workers and peasants?

Industrial workers were depicted as male, while peasants were depicted as female.

What were the primary domestic expectations for Soviet women despite legal equality?

They were expected to hold full-time jobs while performing the majority of household chores and childcare.

Who was the prominent Bolshevik leader who advocated for greater sexual freedom for women?

Alexandra Kollontai.

What did radical Bolsheviks mean by 'free love'?

Sexual relationships based on personal choice rather than the traditional institution of marriage.

What was the purpose of encouraging communal living in Soviet housing blocks?

To break down the traditional family unit.

What did the Family Code of 1918 change regarding divorce?

It made divorce easier, allowing it at the request of either spouse without needing specific grounds.

What was the legal status of abortion under the 1918 Family Code?

It was made legal.

What was the primary motivation for the Bolsheviks to reform family laws in 1918?

To increase female labor participation, attack traditional oppression, and reduce the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church.

What did the 1927 marriage law establish regarding unregistered marriages?

It gave equal legal status to registered and unregistered (cohabiting) marriages.

What were 'postcard divorces'?

A practice where a partner could notify their spouse of a divorce simply by sending them a postcard.

What was a major social consequence of the high divorce rates in the 1920s?

A significant increase in the number of orphans roaming the streets.

What was the 'Great Retreat' of 1936?

A series of conservative laws introduced by Stalin to restore the importance of the traditional family.

How did the 1936 laws affect the cost of divorce?

It was made significantly more expensive, increasing from 4 to 50 roubles.

What happened to 'free marriages' under the 1936 reforms?

They lost their legal status.

Which specific sexual act was declared illegal during the 1936 'Great Retreat'?

Male homosexuality.

Why did the Soviet government eventually move toward more conservative family policies?

To address concerns regarding family breakdowns, low birth rates, and the increase in orphaned children.

Who was Ludmilla Tourischeva?

A Soviet gymnast who won nine Olympic medals between 1968 and 1976.

How did Lenin feel about the radical Bolshevik views on 'free love'?

He found them shocking and attempted to impose a more restrained attitude.

What was the status of political influence for women in the Soviet Union?

It remained low, with family policies largely decided by men in the Party.

What was the ratio of abortions to live births in Moscow during the mid-1920s?

3 to 1.

What was the primary goal of the Party sections set up to educate women?

To encourage women to become more assertive and independent.

What was the 'Great Retreat' in Soviet social policy?

A shift from viewing the family as a 'bourgeois' concept to recognizing it as a necessary unit of socialist society.

What legal changes were made regarding abortion during the 'Great Retreat'?

It was outlawed except in cases where the mother's life was at risk.

What maternity benefits were introduced during the 'Great Retreat'?

Guaranteed job security, the right to lighter work, and maternity leave extended to 16 weeks.

How did the Soviet government encourage larger families in 1944?

They introduced awards for 'mother-heroines' who had ten or more children.

What was the purpose of the tax on single people introduced in the Soviet Union?

To encourage marriage.

What was the 'double burden' placed on Soviet women during the Khrushchev years?

The expectation to manage household and childcare duties while also maintaining full-time paid employment.

Who were the 'babushki' in Soviet society?

Grandmothers who assisted with housework, childcare, and queuing for food, helping to support multi-generational family units.

Why did the Soviet government legalize abortion again in 1955?

To reduce the financial strain on families.

What was the primary focus of the 1968 Family Code?

To reinforce traditional values and address rising divorce rates.

What was the trend in Soviet population growth by 1982?

The rate of growth had fallen to 0.8 percent, causing government concern.

How did the birth rate in Central Asian republics compare to the rest of the USSR in the late Soviet period?

It was significantly higher, partly due to the strong influence of Islam.

What was a major factor contributing to domestic abuse and divorce in the late Soviet era?

Alcoholism.

What percentage of all deaths in the early 1980s did historian Nemtsov attribute to the effects of alcohol?

Over a quarter.

What requirement did the 1968 Family Code introduce for couples planning to marry?

They were required to give one month's notice before the wedding.

Under what circumstances was divorce made illegal by the 1968 Family Code?

If the woman was pregnant or within the first year of the birth of a child.

What was a long-term social consequence of the Second World War on Soviet families in the 1950s?

Many young men grew up fatherless, leading to a lack of role models for the next generation.

What was the average number of children in a Soviet family in 1970?

2.4 children.

How did the Soviet government attempt to address the housing shortage in the 1970s?

There was a trend toward single-family occupancy of apartments and flats.

What was the status of male homosexuality during the 'Great Retreat'?

It was declared illegal.

What happened to the number of nursery places between 1928 and 1930?

The number of places doubled.

What penalty was introduced for fathers who failed to pay child support?

Two-year prison sentences.

What was the primary reason the Soviet government failed to replace the family with a collective approach?

Inadequacies in government social policies and the recognition that the family was a vital force for social stability.

What was the average annual consumption of spirits per Soviet adult by 1982?

18 litres.

How did the Khrushchev years differ from the Stalin years regarding family support?

The Khrushchev years provided better support through increased social benefits like housing, health care, and childcare.

What was the main difference in social policy between the Khrushchev and Brezhnev eras?

Brezhnev's era saw a growing awareness of and attempt to address social problems that weakened the family.