The City of Bălți in 1940: Occupation, Sovietization, Repressions

Abstract

The aim of this research is to highlight the situation in the city of Bălți in 1940, presented in archival and oral history documents. The annexation of the territories between the Dniester and the Prut rivers by the Soviet Union in 1940 also implied the forced establishment of Soviet power in this region. The city of Balti, being one of republican subordination, was subjected to the specific practices of the communist regime. The population had to endure the occupation regime – many people who wanted to flee to Romania did not have this possibility. The withdrawal of the Romanian army and the establishment of the Soviet army caused great trauma to the people, who became powerless in the face of weapons. The occupation was followed by sovietization and repression, which mutilated the ordinary life of the city in the interwar period. The testimonies of survivors emphasise the state of fear, insecurity, obedience imposed by the Soviet regime.