Features of Political and Ideological Work among the Population of the Far East of the USSR in the 1930s

Abstract

The paper discusses the system of political and ideological work among the population of the Far East of the USSR in the 1930s. While various aspects have already been elucidated in the historical literature, many issues of a problematic nature have not yet received due attention from researchers. Archival documents reveal that the authorities sought to introduce certain political and ideological levers of influence and control in all spheres of society in order to achieve high labor productivity. The peculiarities of political and ideological work in the Far Eastern region were directly related to organizational, personnel and functional problems. They proceeded from the limited material and human resources, the frequent substitution of economic measures, as well as the formal attitude to it on the part of the party and economic leaders in the field. It is proved that many features of the development of this system in the Far Eastern region resulted from its neglect of the socio-economic, cultural and domestic needs and the demands of workers, and from the state tasks of socio-economic development. This, in turn, led to an underestimation of the importance of political and ideological work on the part of workers and employees, their weak coverage, a low degree of attendance at events of a political and ideological nature, and the development of an apolitical attitude.