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- Life in the Soviet Union, 1924 to 41
Life in the Soviet Union, 1924 to 41
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Stalin's revolution changed everyday life in towns and villages. Some groups gained opportunities; others suffered persecution.
Living and working conditions
Towns: cities grew fast; families often shared one room in crowded flats. Work was hard, with strict discipline and punishments for lateness. Wages bought little because consumer goods were scarce.
Countryside: life on collective farms was poor, and peasants needed internal passports (from 1932) to move.
Some groups did well: party officials, managers and skilled workers had better housing and shops.
Countryside: life on collective farms was poor, and peasants needed internal passports (from 1932) to move.
Some groups did well: party officials, managers and skilled workers had better housing and shops.
Women
Women gained legal equality, and millions joined the workforce, including in heavy industry. Education opened up careers such as medicine.
But most women also did all the housework: a "double burden".
The 1936 Family Code made divorce harder and banned abortion, to boost the birth rate.
Few women reached the top of the party.
But most women also did all the housework: a "double burden".
The 1936 Family Code made divorce harder and banned abortion, to boost the birth rate.
Few women reached the top of the party.
Ethnic minorities
The USSR contained many nationalities. Under Stalin, Russian language and culture were promoted (Russification).
National leaders accused of nationalism were purged, and some peoples were deported to remote areas.
Ukrainians suffered terribly in the famine of 1932 to 33.
National leaders accused of nationalism were purged, and some peoples were deported to remote areas.
Ukrainians suffered terribly in the famine of 1932 to 33.
Why was the position of women in the 1930s described as a 'double burden'?
- Many women now worked full time in factories and offices.
- They were still expected to do the housework and childcare.
Answer: They did paid work and almost all the housework too.
Town workers faced overcrowding, discipline and few goods; peasants were tied to collective farms. Women worked in large numbers but carried a double burden, and the 1936 Family Code restricted divorce and abortion. Minorities faced Russification, purges and deportation.
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