The Soviet Union was formed in December 1922.

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The Soviet Union was formed in December 1922.

Founded by Vladimir Lenin and other zealots on the premise it would become a political and economic prototype other countries would soon copyProspects would decline as Josef Stalin followed as predecessor and governed in an increasingly tyrannical manner Most known for his development of SU state-owned economy, its emergence as a nuclear-armed superpower, and its acquisition of satellite states in astern Europe Led bruising political purges and repressions that killed or imprisoned millions of people.Communist Party goal was to forge the classless, communist society that German political theorist Karl Marx had sketched in the 19th century

In order to produce this “perfect society” Stalin felt that all external and more importantly internal enemies had to be destroyedFrom 1934- 1938 half of the urban population was on police lists Known as The Great Terror 5% of the people were arrested Found themselves waiting on the death penalty or en route to a Gulag (Soviet Labor Camp)

$270

TOTAL:

$15

Misc.

$25

Income Tax

$30

Recreation

$10

Rent, utilities

$55

Clothing

$135

Food

Soviet citizens continued to be the subjects of surveillance

Always required to carry their passports

Living conditions greatly decreased under Stalin

15% of families lived in a single room

47% lived in

two

rooms

Government-funded apartments rented for tiny sums

4

Georgians

4.2

Tajiks

4.6

Armenians

6.6

Tatars

6.8

Azerbaijanis

8.1

Kazaks

10

Belorussians

16.7

Uzbeks

44.2

Ukrainians

145.2

Russian

Population (millions)

Nationalities

No official language however Russian was preferred in regards to the government and economics

“The life of youth is strongly influenced by the state. The government provides daytime nursery schools for the very young and organizes thoroughgoing physical fitness program” (Thayer 126).

The inauguration of Stalin’s first Five-Year Plan in 1928 tightened political controls over cultural activityLed to a censorship in all artsBelieved the only precept for creative ideas was “socialist realism”Only themes that contribute to strengthening socialism

500 professional theaters which included 35 for opera and ballet

Ballet is the supreme example of Russian achievement in performing arts

Moscow

Bolshoi Theater is the pride of all RussiansTradition dates back to the 18th century when Catherine the Great brought Italian choreographer Angiolini to St. Petersburg to teach imperial danceRussia has also given the world some of its greatest musicians/composersWorks were frequently banned during Stalin’s eraIncluded: Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich, Aram Khachaturyan

In the 1930’s Stalin began to cut down on the free expression of ideas All prominent writers had to join the Union of Writers which controlled literary intelligentsiaWriters included: Vladimir Dudintsev, Yuri Trionov, Yevgeny Yevtusheknko, Vasily Aksenov

As their world was drastically changing around them, they still tried to keep some traditions alive.

Easter or ‘

Paskha’ represents the major Russian religious celebration of the yearCould not be eliminated by the communistsCelebrated with special bread called Paskha and colored Easter eggsUsually celebrated at a later date than in the WestSpend all day on the Saturday before in churchCommon practice to visit cemeteries and bring eggs, Paskha, and beer to gravesites

Most popular Russian souvenir that dates back to the 1800’s

First created by a man named Murmantov

Approximately 50% of Soviet Citizens identified themselves with Russian Orthodox Church

The center of faith for devout Russins for 6 centuries has been the Monastery of the Holy Trinity and St. Serguis in Zagorsk Church art shone above all other formsCharacteristic onion-shaped domes of Orthodox churches were developed by native architects.