Stalin's Domestic Policies - Treatment of Minorities

Historical Context of Non-Russian Nationalities in Russia

Demographics and National Identity Pre-1917

• Prior to the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, non-Russians constituted approximately half of Russia's population, highlighting the diverse ethnic landscape of the empire.

• The Bolsheviks criticized the tsarist regime, labeling it the 'prison house of the peoples', indicating a recognition of the various national identities within the empire.

• Lenin's decree on nationalities in 1917 promised autonomy and the right to independence for the various ethnic groups, reflecting a revolutionary commitment to self-determination.

Bolshevik Assumptions and Policies

• The Bolsheviks believed that the processes of socialist revolution, industrialization, and urbanization would diminish ethnic distinctions over time.

• Following their victory in the Civil War, Lenin reneged on his promises to non-Russian peoples, prioritizing the consolidation of Soviet power over national autonomy.

• The Red Army's advance into non-Russian territories led to the establishment of Soviet socialist republics, which were integrated into the USSR under the 1923 constitution.

The Structure and Ideology of the USSR

Federal Structure of the USSR

• The USSR was designed as a multinational federal system, granting varying degrees of autonomy to its republics while centralizing authority in Moscow.

• Local powers were allocated to republics, but key decisions remained under the control of the Soviet authorities, reflecting a tension between local autonomy and central control.

Cultural Policies: Korenizatsiia vs. Russification

• The Bolshevik approach to non-Russian nationalities initially rejected the Russification policies of previous tsars, which aimed at cultural assimilation.

• Instead, the Bolsheviks promoted 'korenizatsiia', or indigenization, allowing for the preservation and promotion of non-Russian languages and cultures.

• This policy aimed to foster a sense of loyalty among non-Russian populations by recognizing and celebrating their cultural identities within a socialist framework.

Implementation of Nationalities Policy

Educational and Administrative Reforms

• During the New Economic Policy (NEP), the Soviet government adopted a more conciliatory stance towards Muslim regions and promoted education in local languages.

• By 1927, over 90% of Ukrainian children were receiving education in their native language, a significant shift from the pre-1917 ban on Ukrainian in schools.

• Local languages were also utilized in administrative functions, further legitimizing the cultural identities of various ethnic groups.

Representation of Ethnic Minorities

• The Communist Party increased the appointment of officials from ethnic minorities to key positions within the party and state apparatus in each republic.

• This strategy aimed to enhance the legitimacy of the Soviet regime among non-Russian populations and to integrate diverse voices into governance.

• The inclusion of ethnic minorities in leadership roles was seen as a way to promote a sense of ownership and participation in the new Soviet state.

Key Events

• Bolshevik Revolution (1917): The uprising that led to the overthrow of the provisional government and the establishment of Bolshevik rule, promising independence to various nationalities.

• Civil War (1917-1922): A conflict following the Bolshevik Revolution where the Red Army imposed communist rule on non-Russian areas, leading to their incorporation into the USSR.

Key Dates

• 1917: The year of the Bolshevik Revolution and the issuance of the decree on nationalities, promising independence to non-Russian peoples.

• 1923: The introduction of a new constitution that formally incorporated non-Russian areas into the USSR as Soviet socialist republics.

Key People

• Vladimir Lenin: Leader of the Bolsheviks who initially promised autonomy to non-Russian nationalities but later reversed these promises after the Civil War.

• Bolsheviks: The political party that led the revolution and established the Soviet state, initially promoting a policy of cultural tolerance towards non-Russian nationalities.

Key Themes

• National Identity and Autonomy: The struggle of various nationalities within the USSR to maintain their cultural identities against the backdrop of Soviet policies.

• Cultural Assimilation vs. Indigenization: The contrast between the tsarist approach of Russification and the Bolshevik policy of Korenizatsiia, highlighting the complexities of Soviet nationalities policy.

Facts to Memorize

• Bolsheviks' decree on nationalities (1917) promised independence for non-Russian peoples.

• The USSR was established under a new constitution in 1923.

• Korenizatsiia refers to the indigenization policy promoted by the Bolsheviks.

• By 1927, over 90% of Ukrainian children were studying in their native language.

Key Terms/Concepts

• Korenizatsiia: A policy of indigenization promoted by the Bolsheviks, allowing non-Russian languages and cultural expressions to flourish in an effort to integrate non-Russian nationalities into the Soviet state.

• Russification: A form of cultural assimilation where non-Russians adopt Russian culture and language, often involuntarily, leading to the erosion of their own cultural identities.

Concept Comparisons