Cultural Change in Soviet Russia Flashcards
“What we need is not a dead cathedral of art …
We need raw art, raw words, raw deeds. Art…should be everywhere.” Vladimir Mayakovsky
What was Futurism?
Artistic movement that rejects past traditions and glorified technology?
What was a dominant cultural influence?
Proletcult. (Proletarian culture movement)
What art movement affected styles of sculpture and architecture?
Constructivism
How were socialist values used in orchestras?
Conductorless orchestras
How did agitprop trains influence Russia?
Encouraged artists to create content, agitprop staff gave speeches and handed out posters and pamphlets, accompanied by theatres.
How was Moscow’s Red Square used to encourage art?
Elaborately decorated, mass street theatre displays such as the Winter Palace.
What were traditional Christian acts replaced with?
Christenings with Octoberings
Couples formalised relationships with red marriages
Cities renamed
Children given names like Ninel
Christian holidays replaced by anniversaries of October Revolution
Honourifics replaced by Comrade
When were compulsory literacy lessons introduced in the Army?
April 1918
What did the head of Red Army training administration, say of the literacy program?
“Our word is our best weapon.” Nikolai Podvoisky
What was the first sentence many Russians learnt to read in the texts of 1920s and 1930s? How did it come about?
Dora Elkina Bolshevik volunteer taught it to a group of soldiers.
Many soldiers were inspired.
“The power of the Communist appeal, which promised that those who had been slaves in the past
could resold themselves into exemplary members of humanity, cannot be overestimated. It is poignantly expressed in the autobiographical narratives of semi-literate Soviet citizens who detailed their journeys from darkness to light.” Jochen Hellbeck
How was literacy achieved? what effect did it have?
1920s volunteers travel through the countryside telling people how to read.
In city free workers reading rooms were established and intensive courses for talented adults were offered.
Gave hope to ordinary citizens, helped them feel enlightened.
When were schools standardised? Through what body was this achieved?
May 1918.
Consolidated Labour Schools were administered by the Commissariat of Enlightenment.
What was the Commissar of Enlightenment, Lunacharsky’s, contribution to schooling?
Classes co-ed, attendance compulsory. Students should learn by doing. Group work encouraged.
