Surrounded by
mountains and influenced by the cold climate, this nationality
has progressed rapidly under the Soviets.
mountains and influenced by the cold climate, this nationality
has progressed rapidly under the Soviets.
Soviet Union - 1944 - Meet the Soviet Russians
S.
R.
1,633,333,333
(Figures for U. S. A. from World Almanac; for U. S. S. R. , from Mikhailov,
Land of the Soviets. )
(b) Why may a comparison of a country's recent production figures with
those of former years be more significant than a comparison with an-
other country? Show in any graphic form the following increase of
cotton acreage in the U. S. S. R. :
Acres devoted to cotton, 1913: 1,729,000
Acres devoted to cotton, 1937: 5,187,000
Many people think of the Soviet Union as being only a cold country.
Take an imaginary trip in July and August through subtropical parts
of the U. S. S. R. Write a story of your imaginary trip, telling what you
saw in the way of vegetation and agricultural crops, the dress of the
people, and any other effects of the climate.
See Cressey, Asia's Land and Peoples, climate maps; also pp. 275-278.
Mikhailov, Land of the Soviets, for descriptions of special sec-
tions of the country.
The following is suggested as a possible class project: one class member
might draw a large blackboard map of the U. S. S. R. Groups might
then assume responsibiilty to insert:
industrial centers (pictures, as
of oil derricks, factory build-
ings, might be sketched)
important inland cities
important seaports
islands
Two board maps might well be used, either to create a friendly rivalry,
thus having more individual members participating in the map work,
or two maps might be used to depict different information. A symbol
map is shown on inside covers of Williams, The Soviets.
On a map of the U. S. S. R. , superimpose a map of the U. S. A. , being sure
that they have been made on a comparable scale. To the left, place
significant statistics of the U. S. S. R. , to the right, those of the U. S. A. ,
concerning:
a. land area d. oil production, 1938
b. population e. wheat production, 1938
c. coal production, 1938 f. cotton production, 1938
a.
rivers
e.
b.
mountains
c.
seas
d.
agricultural areas (pic-
tures, as of wheat, might
be used)
f.
g-
h.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 14 MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
Information concerning the Soviet Union may be found in:
Mikhailov, Land of the Soviets.
Goodall, Soviet Russia in Maps
Stembridge, An Atlas of the U. S. S. R.
8. At one point in the Bering Strait, the Diomede Islands, one of which
is United States territory, and one, a part of the U. S. S. R. , are only about
three miles apart. "The Little Diomede belongs to the U. S. A. , Big
Diomede to the U. S. S. R. ; the islanders are Eskimos . . . who . . . speak
the same language, attend each other's movies and dances, intermarry.
. . . Today and tomorrow meet in the narrow boundary between the
islands. . . . Winter ice . . . links the two islands like a paved road. . . .
An American islander may leave Little Diomede on Wednesday, reach
Big Diomede an hour or two later on Thursday . . . eat some muktuk
and seal oil, laugh and 'chase around' (a favorite expression) and return
home to Wednesday again . . . but those on one island pay allegiance
to the Stars and Stripes, those of the other to the Hammer and Sickle. "
Read "Neighbors Across the Arctic" by Ruth Gruber, Survey Graphic,
February, 1944. Can you imagine what island visitors might say to one
another? Write an exchange of conversation among imaginary U. S. S. R.
and U. S. A. islanders. Perhaps the class may produce a skit based on
the various conversations written by members of the class.
9. After reading "Neighbors Across the Arctic," Survey Graphic, February,
1944, draw a cartoon illustrating the neighborliness of the inhabitants
of the two Diomede Islands.
10. What has happened to U. S. S. R. resources during World War II? Read
"Wartime Changes in the Use of and Search for Soviet Natural Re-
sources" by Andrew Steiger in The U. S. S. R. in Reconstruction. Make
a report to the class.
11. You have heard and read of the Russian steppes. What and where are
they? For what purposes are they usable? Indicate their location on
a map, and below the map, show the use of these areas.
References: Cressey, Asia's Land and Peoples, p. 283.
Goodall, Soviet Russia in Maps.
Stembridge, An Atlas of the U. S. S. R.
12. Find a map which, like "The World News of the Week Map" (News
Map of the Week, Inc. , 1512 Orleans St. , Chicago, Illinois), gives the
time belts around the world. Make a circle chart, like a clock. Place
Leningrad at twelve noon, and another Soviet Union locality at every
hour possible. Below your chart, tell what time it is at the different
hours in:
Boston Chicago Los Angeles Honolulu Melbourne Hong Kong
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 15
II. Peoples and Population
A. Composition and Distribution
The peoples of the U. S. S. R. present a complex pattern of cul-
tural progress and ethnic strains. Within the Soviet Union are
some 189 national groups, of which about fifty comprise 995%
of the total population of approximately 202,000,000. (Popula-
tion statistics given are based on estimates made in 1941 and in-
clude persons in regions annexed in 1939 and 1940. ) Predomi-
nant ethnic strains are the Slavs (about 151,000,000), the Turco-
Tatars (about 21,000,000), the Japhetic groups (about 6,000,000),
the Jews (about 5,200,000), and the Finno-Ugrians (about 4,-
600,000). Scattered over the vast expanse of the world's largest
land mass in one political unit, these nationalities have been
organized into political subdivisions, each bearing the name of
its major racial stock. There are sixteen Union Republics, and
within these are Autonomous Republics, Autonomous Regions,
and National Districts. All these groups are permitted many
privileges and rights as a part of the minority policy of the
Soviet Union.
The Slavs form the chief ethnic strain and number about
three-fourths of the total population. The Great Russians, the
largest Slavic unit, live chiefly within the Russian Soviet Fed-
erated Socialist Republic (Russia proper). This is the most
heavily populated of the Union Republics, covering an area of
6,322,350 square miles from western Soviet Europe across Siberia
to the Pacific, and holding an estimated total of 114,000,000
persons. This Slavic group first pushed Tsarist power to the
Trans-Caucasus, to Central Asia, and to the Pacific, assimilating
and conquering the minorities they encountered. Pan-Slavism,
the movement to unite all Slavs whether in western Russia,
eastern Europe, or the Balkans, was pursued tirelessly by the
Great Russians, who advanced steadily for over three centuries,
spreading over areas at an estimated daily rate of about sixty
square miles. Carrying the Greek Orthodox faith and Tsarist
tyranny with them, this people established a huge empire whose
nationality policy was based upon oppression of all minority
groups.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 16 MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
Today, in contrast to this repression, the U. S. S. R. encourages
nationalities to follow their own customs and to maintain their
own institutions; thus the peoples of the Soviet Union present
many interesting traits and varying degrees of cultural develop-
ment. Illustrative of this are the minorities of the Russian
Union Republic, which contains the greatest number of political
subdivisions of any Republic in the U. S. S. R. The Komi (mean-
ing "We, the people") live in the northwest.
Surrounded by
mountains and influenced by the cold climate, this nationality
has progressed rapidly under the Soviets. In the Volga basin are
six Autonomous Republics, the Mordovian, Chuvash, Mari,
Tatar, Bashkir, and Udmurt. The hospitable Bashkirs, the Chu-
vash, who although of Turkic origin use many Finnish words,
and the Mordovians have all developed their own unique cul-
tures. The Tatars of Kazan, skilled leather workers, Moslem in
belief and custom, are considered the most advanced of the
descendants of the Asiatic hordes which swept into Russia from
the East, under Tamerlane and Genghis Khan.
Other widely scattered groups in the Russian Republic range
from the horse-breeding Kalmyks of the southern Caucasus and
the metal-working mountaineers of Daghestan, to the backward
tribe of Chukchis (meaning "rich in reindeer") in the far north-
east of Siberia and the highly developed Jewish Autonomous
Region of the southeast. Some additional minorities are the
vigorous Yakuts of the largest Autonomous Republic of the
U. S. S. R. , the Oirots, who closely resemble the American Indian,
and, near Lake Baikal, the Buriat-Mongolians, whose priests
follow many ideas common to Buddhism.
Next to the Russian Republic on the west, from north to
south, are seven republics. The Karelo-Finnish, predominantly
of Finno-Ugrian stock, and from whose ballads in the Kalevala
Longfellow took his rhythm for Hiawatha, and the Moldavian
are two examples of progress from the status of an Autonomous
Republic to that of a Union Republic. Estonia and Latvia,
whose peoples are mainly Lutheran, and Lithuania, chiefly
Catholic, are the three Baltic Republics so essential to Soviet
defense. South of these are the Ukrainians and Byelo-Russians,
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 17
the second and third largest Soviet groups, respectively. The
former, occupying the richest soil in the Soviet Union, are highly
cultured; the latter are commonly known as White Russians,
but should not be confused with the emigrants of the Revolu-
tion.
The most complex racial pattern is in the Caucasus and Trans-
Caucasus region. Georgia, the birthplace of Stalin, who is the
symbol of the new importance of minority groups, is rich in his-
tory. Its people, Christianized in 345, were oppressed by many
rulers, but resisted all kinds of autocracy. The Georgian S. S. R.
contains, among other groups, the Abkhazians, in whose region
is a small Negro unit, and the Khevsurs, thought to be descend-
ants of a lost band of Crusaders. Armenia, the scene of historic
invasions, and Azerbaidzhan, the "Land of Fire," are two other
Union Republics where progress in recent years has been re-
markable.
In the southern part of Soviet Central Asia, the region between
the Caspian Sea and the Sinkiang province of China, lie five
Union Republics, all examples of Soviet progress in conquering
the desert and in decreasing the backwardness of peoples. The
biggest is the Kazakh S. S. R. , now a wartime industrial center,
with coal mines, tractor stations, and large copper deposits. The
Uzbek S. S. R. , the most advanced and wealthy district of the
area, derives much of its wealth from cotton growing. Its ancient
cities of Samarkand and Bokhara are excellent examples of
Moslem architecture; they are still famous in this desert land
of Central Asia.
South of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are Turkmenia, noted
for its carpets, the Tadzhik S. S. R. , whose Moslem peoples are
closely related to the Iranians, and the Kirgiz S. S. R. , develop-
ing today as a silk, cotton, and livestock center. For those seek-
ing the picturesque or the unusual, for those interested in archae-
ology or anthropology, or for those studying customs or history,
the U. S. S. R. presents the most complex yet freely developed pat-
tern of cultures in the world.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? i8
MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
Statistics on Union Republics1
POPULATION
PREDOMINANT
(ESTIMATED
AREA (IN
ETHNIC
AS OF
SQUARE
REPUBLIC
STRAIN
JULY, 1941)
MILES)
CAPITAL
Russia
Slav
114. 337428
6,322,350
Moscow
Ukraine
Slav
42,272,943
202,540
Kiev
Byelo-Russia
Slav
10,525,511
89,300
Minsk
Uzbekistan
Turco-Tatar
6,601,619
146,000
Tashkent
Kazakhstan
Turco-Tatar
6,458,175
1,059,700
Alma-Ata
Georgia
Japhetic
3,722,252
26,875
Tbilisi
Azerbaidzhan
Turco-Tatar
3. 372. 794
33,200
Baku
Lithuania
Baltic
3,134,070
22,8oO
Vilna
Moldavia
Rumanian
2,321,225
13,680
Kishinev
Latvia
Baltic
1,950,502
24,700
Riga
Tadzhikstan
Iranian
1,560,540
55. 545
? ? Stalinabad
Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS lg
ments of population will be somewhat determined by future
economic planning.
References on Peoples and Population:
Lamont, C, "The Peoples of the Soviet Union," Soviet Russia Today,
June, 1944, pp. 16-17, 3>>-
Lamont, C, "The Union Republics and Subdivisions," Soviet Russia
Today, July, 1944, pp. 10, 26-27.
Lorimer, F. , "Recent Population Trends in the Soviet Union," American
Sociological Review, June, 1944, pp. 219-222.
Mikhailov, N. , Land of the Soviets, pp. 77-325.
Williams, A. R. , The Soviets, pp. 8-35.
Some Suggested Activities on Peoples and Population:
1. The U. S. S. R. contains some "189 peoples, speaking 150 languages
and adhering to 40 religions. " Study carefully the series of pictures on
the peoples of the U. S. S. R. in set 1 of the U. S. S. R. : A Pictorial Review,
numbers 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15. (This may be rented through the
National Council of American-Soviet Friendship. ) Note especially,
in each picture, the physical characteristics of the people, their dress,
and the main points of interest in the background. Choose two of the
nationality groups for a more detailed study. Write a composition con-
trasting and comparing these two groups, especially as to their physical
characteristics, dress, customs, and occupations. Consult the following
for information: Davies and Steiger, Soviet Asia; Mikhailov, Land of
the Soviets; Williams, The Soviets.
2. The Caucasus Mountains, "the stony girdle of the globe," have many
colorful, resourceful, and hospitable peoples, with amazing customs and
traditions. Prepare an oral topic about the peoples of the Caucasus,
on one of the following: history, customs, legends, dress, occupations,
physical characteristics. Consult the following for information: "Family
of Nations: the Soviet Union," pp. 14-18; Mikhailov, Land of the
Soviets, pp. 236-279; Williams, The Soviets, pp. 8-19.
3. Map Study of the Peoples of the Soviet Union: On a map of the
U. S. S. R. place the sixteen Union Republics. In each republic place a
symbol which indicates an outstanding item about the major nationality
unit of that republic. You may use freehand sketches or pictures. Con-
sult these references: Wall Map of the U. S. S. R. ; Mikhailov, Land of the
Soviets; Williams, The Soviets, pp. 8-19 (and see map at end of book. )
4. Imagine that you are a magazine correspondent and that you have
been assigned to visit one of the republics of the Soviet Union. Write
an article describing the interesting and unusual items about the
nationality group which is the predominant one in the republic ol
your choice. Consult Davies and Steiger, Soviet Asia, and Mikhailov,
Land of the Soviets.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? so MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
5. The Influence of Geography on People's Lives: Choose a nationality
group in one of the following regions of the U. S. S. R. : Arctic, Ukraine,
Crimea, Caucasus, Central Asia, Far East. Prepare an oral topic on the
ways in which the geographical surroundings have influenced the lives
and habits of the group you have chosen. These oral topics will be
used as a basis for class discussion, comparing and contrasting the in-
fluence of geography upon the lives of the peoples of the Soviet Union
and of the United States. Consult: Davies and Steiger, Soviet Asia;
Mikhailov, Land of the Soviets; Williams, The Soviets.
6. Make arrangements for showing the films "Armenia" and "Kazakhstan. "
Preview the films and call the attention of the class to the following
items about each film: industry, agriculture, buildings, scenery, dress.
After the films have been shown, conduct a class discussion comparing
and contrasting Armenia and Kazakhstan.
7. "Russia is not a country; it is a world. " Choose a nationality group
of the U. S. S. R. and prepare a combination pictorial and written dis-
play for the bulletin board. Consult other pupils who are working
on this activity and form a committee to arrange the bulletin board
displays. Suggestions for topics: the Komi--Junior Red Cross Journal.
May, 1944; the Jews-- Tenth Anniversary Jewish Autonomous Region.
May, 1944 (American-Birobidjan Committee, New York); the Uzbeks,
Yakuts, Armenians, Estonians--Family of Nations: the Soviet Union.
III. History
A. Pre-Revolutionary
1. Outstanding Characteristics
There were four outstanding features of the history of this
large country before the Revolution. First, the overwhelming
majority of the people were peasants, poor and ignorant, as con-
trasted with a small group of rich land-owning nobles. There
was a small number of poverty-stricken industrial workers in
St. Petersburg (now Leningrad), Moscow, and other urban cen-
ters. Secondly, the Tsarist regime, which was in part made pos-
sible by the peasant character of the people, was autocratic and
harsh, corrupt and inefficient. A third characteristic of this
regime was the "Russification" of the various national and
minority groups in the country. There was no opportunity for
Jews, Armenians, Poles, or any other groups to develop their
own cultural heritage. Instead, each group was forced to speak
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 2i
the Russian language, conform to the established state Church,
and in every way relinquish its own cultural institutions. A
fourth feature of the Tsarist regime was the power of the Greek
Orthodox Church, the state religion, which in itself was a
large land-owning body, holding great power over the minds
and lives of the illiterate and superstitious masses. In addition
to being a powerful land-holding institution, the Church was
corrupt, an ally of the government in autocratic policies.
2. Opposing Elements
Before the Revolution of 1917, there were attempts made by
various groups to improve conditions. The intellectuals and
writers, such as Tolstoy, Dostoievsky, and others, denounced the
autocratic policies of the Tsar, and exposed the poverty of the
masses. Following the defeat of Russia by Japan in the war of
1904-05, a Revolution was attempted, with strikes among the
various groups of industrial workers. Councils, or Soviets as they
were called, were organized among the workers. This movement
resulted in forcing the Tsar to permit the election of a national
assembly, the Duma. Though not representing the masses, the
Duma was a partial check on the power of the Tsar. However,
two Dumas were dissolved by him, and the third was composed
of conservative nationalist groups. Severe punishment and exile
of revolutionary groups followed the 1905 disturbances. The
peasants, as well as the labor groups, revolted in several parts
of Russia, but were suppressed with great cruelty.
B. Revolutionary Period
1. Revolution of 1917 and World War I
Prior to the October Revolution of 1917, the government was
taken over in the February Revolution by the liberal, republi-
can elements, mostly middle-class. Kerensky was the most prom-
inent leader of this group. The radical party known as the Bol-
sheviks, however, was not satisfied, and won over the workers
for the establishment of a government of the proletariat. Lenin,
who had been in exile since 1907, returned in April, 1917, and,
?
(Figures for U. S. A. from World Almanac; for U. S. S. R. , from Mikhailov,
Land of the Soviets. )
(b) Why may a comparison of a country's recent production figures with
those of former years be more significant than a comparison with an-
other country? Show in any graphic form the following increase of
cotton acreage in the U. S. S. R. :
Acres devoted to cotton, 1913: 1,729,000
Acres devoted to cotton, 1937: 5,187,000
Many people think of the Soviet Union as being only a cold country.
Take an imaginary trip in July and August through subtropical parts
of the U. S. S. R. Write a story of your imaginary trip, telling what you
saw in the way of vegetation and agricultural crops, the dress of the
people, and any other effects of the climate.
See Cressey, Asia's Land and Peoples, climate maps; also pp. 275-278.
Mikhailov, Land of the Soviets, for descriptions of special sec-
tions of the country.
The following is suggested as a possible class project: one class member
might draw a large blackboard map of the U. S. S. R. Groups might
then assume responsibiilty to insert:
industrial centers (pictures, as
of oil derricks, factory build-
ings, might be sketched)
important inland cities
important seaports
islands
Two board maps might well be used, either to create a friendly rivalry,
thus having more individual members participating in the map work,
or two maps might be used to depict different information. A symbol
map is shown on inside covers of Williams, The Soviets.
On a map of the U. S. S. R. , superimpose a map of the U. S. A. , being sure
that they have been made on a comparable scale. To the left, place
significant statistics of the U. S. S. R. , to the right, those of the U. S. A. ,
concerning:
a. land area d. oil production, 1938
b. population e. wheat production, 1938
c. coal production, 1938 f. cotton production, 1938
a.
rivers
e.
b.
mountains
c.
seas
d.
agricultural areas (pic-
tures, as of wheat, might
be used)
f.
g-
h.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 14 MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
Information concerning the Soviet Union may be found in:
Mikhailov, Land of the Soviets.
Goodall, Soviet Russia in Maps
Stembridge, An Atlas of the U. S. S. R.
8. At one point in the Bering Strait, the Diomede Islands, one of which
is United States territory, and one, a part of the U. S. S. R. , are only about
three miles apart. "The Little Diomede belongs to the U. S. A. , Big
Diomede to the U. S. S. R. ; the islanders are Eskimos . . . who . . . speak
the same language, attend each other's movies and dances, intermarry.
. . . Today and tomorrow meet in the narrow boundary between the
islands. . . . Winter ice . . . links the two islands like a paved road. . . .
An American islander may leave Little Diomede on Wednesday, reach
Big Diomede an hour or two later on Thursday . . . eat some muktuk
and seal oil, laugh and 'chase around' (a favorite expression) and return
home to Wednesday again . . . but those on one island pay allegiance
to the Stars and Stripes, those of the other to the Hammer and Sickle. "
Read "Neighbors Across the Arctic" by Ruth Gruber, Survey Graphic,
February, 1944. Can you imagine what island visitors might say to one
another? Write an exchange of conversation among imaginary U. S. S. R.
and U. S. A. islanders. Perhaps the class may produce a skit based on
the various conversations written by members of the class.
9. After reading "Neighbors Across the Arctic," Survey Graphic, February,
1944, draw a cartoon illustrating the neighborliness of the inhabitants
of the two Diomede Islands.
10. What has happened to U. S. S. R. resources during World War II? Read
"Wartime Changes in the Use of and Search for Soviet Natural Re-
sources" by Andrew Steiger in The U. S. S. R. in Reconstruction. Make
a report to the class.
11. You have heard and read of the Russian steppes. What and where are
they? For what purposes are they usable? Indicate their location on
a map, and below the map, show the use of these areas.
References: Cressey, Asia's Land and Peoples, p. 283.
Goodall, Soviet Russia in Maps.
Stembridge, An Atlas of the U. S. S. R.
12. Find a map which, like "The World News of the Week Map" (News
Map of the Week, Inc. , 1512 Orleans St. , Chicago, Illinois), gives the
time belts around the world. Make a circle chart, like a clock. Place
Leningrad at twelve noon, and another Soviet Union locality at every
hour possible. Below your chart, tell what time it is at the different
hours in:
Boston Chicago Los Angeles Honolulu Melbourne Hong Kong
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 15
II. Peoples and Population
A. Composition and Distribution
The peoples of the U. S. S. R. present a complex pattern of cul-
tural progress and ethnic strains. Within the Soviet Union are
some 189 national groups, of which about fifty comprise 995%
of the total population of approximately 202,000,000. (Popula-
tion statistics given are based on estimates made in 1941 and in-
clude persons in regions annexed in 1939 and 1940. ) Predomi-
nant ethnic strains are the Slavs (about 151,000,000), the Turco-
Tatars (about 21,000,000), the Japhetic groups (about 6,000,000),
the Jews (about 5,200,000), and the Finno-Ugrians (about 4,-
600,000). Scattered over the vast expanse of the world's largest
land mass in one political unit, these nationalities have been
organized into political subdivisions, each bearing the name of
its major racial stock. There are sixteen Union Republics, and
within these are Autonomous Republics, Autonomous Regions,
and National Districts. All these groups are permitted many
privileges and rights as a part of the minority policy of the
Soviet Union.
The Slavs form the chief ethnic strain and number about
three-fourths of the total population. The Great Russians, the
largest Slavic unit, live chiefly within the Russian Soviet Fed-
erated Socialist Republic (Russia proper). This is the most
heavily populated of the Union Republics, covering an area of
6,322,350 square miles from western Soviet Europe across Siberia
to the Pacific, and holding an estimated total of 114,000,000
persons. This Slavic group first pushed Tsarist power to the
Trans-Caucasus, to Central Asia, and to the Pacific, assimilating
and conquering the minorities they encountered. Pan-Slavism,
the movement to unite all Slavs whether in western Russia,
eastern Europe, or the Balkans, was pursued tirelessly by the
Great Russians, who advanced steadily for over three centuries,
spreading over areas at an estimated daily rate of about sixty
square miles. Carrying the Greek Orthodox faith and Tsarist
tyranny with them, this people established a huge empire whose
nationality policy was based upon oppression of all minority
groups.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:24 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/wu. 89096252051 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 16 MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
Today, in contrast to this repression, the U. S. S. R. encourages
nationalities to follow their own customs and to maintain their
own institutions; thus the peoples of the Soviet Union present
many interesting traits and varying degrees of cultural develop-
ment. Illustrative of this are the minorities of the Russian
Union Republic, which contains the greatest number of political
subdivisions of any Republic in the U. S. S. R. The Komi (mean-
ing "We, the people") live in the northwest.
Surrounded by
mountains and influenced by the cold climate, this nationality
has progressed rapidly under the Soviets. In the Volga basin are
six Autonomous Republics, the Mordovian, Chuvash, Mari,
Tatar, Bashkir, and Udmurt. The hospitable Bashkirs, the Chu-
vash, who although of Turkic origin use many Finnish words,
and the Mordovians have all developed their own unique cul-
tures. The Tatars of Kazan, skilled leather workers, Moslem in
belief and custom, are considered the most advanced of the
descendants of the Asiatic hordes which swept into Russia from
the East, under Tamerlane and Genghis Khan.
Other widely scattered groups in the Russian Republic range
from the horse-breeding Kalmyks of the southern Caucasus and
the metal-working mountaineers of Daghestan, to the backward
tribe of Chukchis (meaning "rich in reindeer") in the far north-
east of Siberia and the highly developed Jewish Autonomous
Region of the southeast. Some additional minorities are the
vigorous Yakuts of the largest Autonomous Republic of the
U. S. S. R. , the Oirots, who closely resemble the American Indian,
and, near Lake Baikal, the Buriat-Mongolians, whose priests
follow many ideas common to Buddhism.
Next to the Russian Republic on the west, from north to
south, are seven republics. The Karelo-Finnish, predominantly
of Finno-Ugrian stock, and from whose ballads in the Kalevala
Longfellow took his rhythm for Hiawatha, and the Moldavian
are two examples of progress from the status of an Autonomous
Republic to that of a Union Republic. Estonia and Latvia,
whose peoples are mainly Lutheran, and Lithuania, chiefly
Catholic, are the three Baltic Republics so essential to Soviet
defense. South of these are the Ukrainians and Byelo-Russians,
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? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 17
the second and third largest Soviet groups, respectively. The
former, occupying the richest soil in the Soviet Union, are highly
cultured; the latter are commonly known as White Russians,
but should not be confused with the emigrants of the Revolu-
tion.
The most complex racial pattern is in the Caucasus and Trans-
Caucasus region. Georgia, the birthplace of Stalin, who is the
symbol of the new importance of minority groups, is rich in his-
tory. Its people, Christianized in 345, were oppressed by many
rulers, but resisted all kinds of autocracy. The Georgian S. S. R.
contains, among other groups, the Abkhazians, in whose region
is a small Negro unit, and the Khevsurs, thought to be descend-
ants of a lost band of Crusaders. Armenia, the scene of historic
invasions, and Azerbaidzhan, the "Land of Fire," are two other
Union Republics where progress in recent years has been re-
markable.
In the southern part of Soviet Central Asia, the region between
the Caspian Sea and the Sinkiang province of China, lie five
Union Republics, all examples of Soviet progress in conquering
the desert and in decreasing the backwardness of peoples. The
biggest is the Kazakh S. S. R. , now a wartime industrial center,
with coal mines, tractor stations, and large copper deposits. The
Uzbek S. S. R. , the most advanced and wealthy district of the
area, derives much of its wealth from cotton growing. Its ancient
cities of Samarkand and Bokhara are excellent examples of
Moslem architecture; they are still famous in this desert land
of Central Asia.
South of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are Turkmenia, noted
for its carpets, the Tadzhik S. S. R. , whose Moslem peoples are
closely related to the Iranians, and the Kirgiz S. S. R. , develop-
ing today as a silk, cotton, and livestock center. For those seek-
ing the picturesque or the unusual, for those interested in archae-
ology or anthropology, or for those studying customs or history,
the U. S. S. R. presents the most complex yet freely developed pat-
tern of cultures in the world.
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? i8
MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
Statistics on Union Republics1
POPULATION
PREDOMINANT
(ESTIMATED
AREA (IN
ETHNIC
AS OF
SQUARE
REPUBLIC
STRAIN
JULY, 1941)
MILES)
CAPITAL
Russia
Slav
114. 337428
6,322,350
Moscow
Ukraine
Slav
42,272,943
202,540
Kiev
Byelo-Russia
Slav
10,525,511
89,300
Minsk
Uzbekistan
Turco-Tatar
6,601,619
146,000
Tashkent
Kazakhstan
Turco-Tatar
6,458,175
1,059,700
Alma-Ata
Georgia
Japhetic
3,722,252
26,875
Tbilisi
Azerbaidzhan
Turco-Tatar
3. 372. 794
33,200
Baku
Lithuania
Baltic
3,134,070
22,8oO
Vilna
Moldavia
Rumanian
2,321,225
13,680
Kishinev
Latvia
Baltic
1,950,502
24,700
Riga
Tadzhikstan
Iranian
1,560,540
55. 545
? ? Stalinabad
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? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS lg
ments of population will be somewhat determined by future
economic planning.
References on Peoples and Population:
Lamont, C, "The Peoples of the Soviet Union," Soviet Russia Today,
June, 1944, pp. 16-17, 3>>-
Lamont, C, "The Union Republics and Subdivisions," Soviet Russia
Today, July, 1944, pp. 10, 26-27.
Lorimer, F. , "Recent Population Trends in the Soviet Union," American
Sociological Review, June, 1944, pp. 219-222.
Mikhailov, N. , Land of the Soviets, pp. 77-325.
Williams, A. R. , The Soviets, pp. 8-35.
Some Suggested Activities on Peoples and Population:
1. The U. S. S. R. contains some "189 peoples, speaking 150 languages
and adhering to 40 religions. " Study carefully the series of pictures on
the peoples of the U. S. S. R. in set 1 of the U. S. S. R. : A Pictorial Review,
numbers 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15. (This may be rented through the
National Council of American-Soviet Friendship. ) Note especially,
in each picture, the physical characteristics of the people, their dress,
and the main points of interest in the background. Choose two of the
nationality groups for a more detailed study. Write a composition con-
trasting and comparing these two groups, especially as to their physical
characteristics, dress, customs, and occupations. Consult the following
for information: Davies and Steiger, Soviet Asia; Mikhailov, Land of
the Soviets; Williams, The Soviets.
2. The Caucasus Mountains, "the stony girdle of the globe," have many
colorful, resourceful, and hospitable peoples, with amazing customs and
traditions. Prepare an oral topic about the peoples of the Caucasus,
on one of the following: history, customs, legends, dress, occupations,
physical characteristics. Consult the following for information: "Family
of Nations: the Soviet Union," pp. 14-18; Mikhailov, Land of the
Soviets, pp. 236-279; Williams, The Soviets, pp. 8-19.
3. Map Study of the Peoples of the Soviet Union: On a map of the
U. S. S. R. place the sixteen Union Republics. In each republic place a
symbol which indicates an outstanding item about the major nationality
unit of that republic. You may use freehand sketches or pictures. Con-
sult these references: Wall Map of the U. S. S. R. ; Mikhailov, Land of the
Soviets; Williams, The Soviets, pp. 8-19 (and see map at end of book. )
4. Imagine that you are a magazine correspondent and that you have
been assigned to visit one of the republics of the Soviet Union. Write
an article describing the interesting and unusual items about the
nationality group which is the predominant one in the republic ol
your choice. Consult Davies and Steiger, Soviet Asia, and Mikhailov,
Land of the Soviets.
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? so MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS
5. The Influence of Geography on People's Lives: Choose a nationality
group in one of the following regions of the U. S. S. R. : Arctic, Ukraine,
Crimea, Caucasus, Central Asia, Far East. Prepare an oral topic on the
ways in which the geographical surroundings have influenced the lives
and habits of the group you have chosen. These oral topics will be
used as a basis for class discussion, comparing and contrasting the in-
fluence of geography upon the lives of the peoples of the Soviet Union
and of the United States. Consult: Davies and Steiger, Soviet Asia;
Mikhailov, Land of the Soviets; Williams, The Soviets.
6. Make arrangements for showing the films "Armenia" and "Kazakhstan. "
Preview the films and call the attention of the class to the following
items about each film: industry, agriculture, buildings, scenery, dress.
After the films have been shown, conduct a class discussion comparing
and contrasting Armenia and Kazakhstan.
7. "Russia is not a country; it is a world. " Choose a nationality group
of the U. S. S. R. and prepare a combination pictorial and written dis-
play for the bulletin board. Consult other pupils who are working
on this activity and form a committee to arrange the bulletin board
displays. Suggestions for topics: the Komi--Junior Red Cross Journal.
May, 1944; the Jews-- Tenth Anniversary Jewish Autonomous Region.
May, 1944 (American-Birobidjan Committee, New York); the Uzbeks,
Yakuts, Armenians, Estonians--Family of Nations: the Soviet Union.
III. History
A. Pre-Revolutionary
1. Outstanding Characteristics
There were four outstanding features of the history of this
large country before the Revolution. First, the overwhelming
majority of the people were peasants, poor and ignorant, as con-
trasted with a small group of rich land-owning nobles. There
was a small number of poverty-stricken industrial workers in
St. Petersburg (now Leningrad), Moscow, and other urban cen-
ters. Secondly, the Tsarist regime, which was in part made pos-
sible by the peasant character of the people, was autocratic and
harsh, corrupt and inefficient. A third characteristic of this
regime was the "Russification" of the various national and
minority groups in the country. There was no opportunity for
Jews, Armenians, Poles, or any other groups to develop their
own cultural heritage. Instead, each group was forced to speak
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? MEET THE SOVIET RUSSIANS 2i
the Russian language, conform to the established state Church,
and in every way relinquish its own cultural institutions. A
fourth feature of the Tsarist regime was the power of the Greek
Orthodox Church, the state religion, which in itself was a
large land-owning body, holding great power over the minds
and lives of the illiterate and superstitious masses. In addition
to being a powerful land-holding institution, the Church was
corrupt, an ally of the government in autocratic policies.
2. Opposing Elements
Before the Revolution of 1917, there were attempts made by
various groups to improve conditions. The intellectuals and
writers, such as Tolstoy, Dostoievsky, and others, denounced the
autocratic policies of the Tsar, and exposed the poverty of the
masses. Following the defeat of Russia by Japan in the war of
1904-05, a Revolution was attempted, with strikes among the
various groups of industrial workers. Councils, or Soviets as they
were called, were organized among the workers. This movement
resulted in forcing the Tsar to permit the election of a national
assembly, the Duma. Though not representing the masses, the
Duma was a partial check on the power of the Tsar. However,
two Dumas were dissolved by him, and the third was composed
of conservative nationalist groups. Severe punishment and exile
of revolutionary groups followed the 1905 disturbances. The
peasants, as well as the labor groups, revolted in several parts
of Russia, but were suppressed with great cruelty.
B. Revolutionary Period
1. Revolution of 1917 and World War I
Prior to the October Revolution of 1917, the government was
taken over in the February Revolution by the liberal, republi-
can elements, mostly middle-class. Kerensky was the most prom-
inent leader of this group. The radical party known as the Bol-
sheviks, however, was not satisfied, and won over the workers
for the establishment of a government of the proletariat. Lenin,
who had been in exile since 1907, returned in April, 1917, and,
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