Illiteracy And Young People

Question 1

In 1917, what population of the Russian empire could read and write?

Answer 1

Only around 32% of the population

Question 2

What did Lenin believe about illiteracy?

Answer 2

That ending it was crucial to building socialism

Question 3

What happened with regards to literacy during the civil war?

Answer 3

• Trotsky introduced literacy classes throughout the Red Army: in 1918, 50% of soldiers were illiterate, by 1925 they all were
• Lunacharsky set up a network of Reading Rooms (or likpunkty— liquidation points) across Russia. Offered 6 week intensive courses on reading and writing

Outside the red army the literacy campaign was not a success. Learning wasn’t a priority for those trying to survive the war

Question 4

What happened to literacy under the NEP?

Answer 4

The campaign to end illiteracy was re-started in 1925, once the economy had stabilised.
The government committed itself to eradicating illiteracy among adults by 1927.
Worked with trade unions to:
• establish libraries
• run literacy classes

There were some SUCCESSES:
• the Metal Workers’ Union— a decline in illiteracy from 14% in 1925 to 4% in 1926
• the Transport Workers’ Union— 99% literacy by 1927

Overall, literacy rates improved from 38% in 1914 to 55% in 1928 BUT spreading literacy in RURAL AREAS was much harder

Question 5

What happened to literacy under Stalin?

Answer 5

1930– party set the target of eliminating illiteracy by the end of the first Five-Year Plan.

Stalin’s campaign against illiteracy was run in a MILITARY STYLE— volunteer ‘cultural soldiers’, organised in ‘cultural battalions’ were sent into soviet villages and told to fight a ‘cultural war’ against illiteracy

BUT

The campaign took place in the midst of collectivisation.
Teachers were associated with the government and so were resisted: 40% of teachers physically attacked in the first year of the campaign.

FAILED to eliminate illiteracy during the first Five-Year Plan buuuuuuuuut by 1939 over 94% of soviet citizens were literate

Question 6

What groups were available, in addition to schooling, for young people that the communists set up?

Answer 6

• the Young Pioneers— 1922— 10-15

* Komsomol— 29/10/1918— 16-28

Question 7

What were the Komsomol and the Young Pioneers up to in the 1920s? Xoxo

Answer 7

Wore a uniform
Took part in activities like camping and hiking
Had talks from local factory workers, Red Army soldiers, farm workers

KOMSOMOL members, in theory, were meant to be disciplined and keen supporters of the Communist party.
In reality, however, they often had a reputation for:
- drunkenness
- promiscuity
- hooliganism

Question 8

What were youth groups like under stalin?

Answer 8

During the 1930s, members of the Komsomol and the Young Pioneers were expected to SPY on their parents and REPORT any criminal behaviour to the police

Youth groups encouraged young people to be:
• hard-working
• obedient

Question 9

What happened to youth groups under Khrushchev?

Answer 9

Khrushchev had a lot of FAITH in youth organisations.
He was keen to involve Komsomol members on his initiatives— ie. hoped they’d play a leading role in holding gators managers and Patti officials to account, reminding them of the vision they were all working towards

Question 10

What happened to youth groups under Brezhnev?

Answer 10

Suspicious of Komsomol

Viewed Komsomol’s leadership as young and ambitious (and thus potentially dangerous)

He believed that the Komsomol should keep young people:
• disciplined
• obedient
AND • emphasise the values of working hard and respect for the government