Soviet Culture Performings a Political Role in the Ussr in 1924-1953 Essay Example
To what extent did Soviet culture perform a political role in the USSR in the years 1924-1953? By Seb Monson 12MW
Soviet culture performed a political role in the USSR in the years 1924 to 1953 as it was seen by Stalin as an expression of society’s values and it needed to be shaped and directed in the same way that agriculture and industry had been to fit into the totalitarian state. However between 1924-1929 culture was fairly uncontrolled because of the relaxed policies of the New Economic Policy. On the contrary, In the 1930’s Major events occurred such as the ‘Cultural Revolution’ which aimed to remove all traces of the “bourgeois” culture by instilling socialist values into the people of the Soviet Union whether it be through Art, Theatre, Film, Music or Literature. Each section was investigated to enforce conformity to the standards set by Joseph Stalin who wanted to promote ‘Social Realism’ in its entirety. The ‘Komsomol’ were used to root out inappropriate material and disrupt plays and shows that did not fit with the values of the Cultural Revolution. More so, new writer groups such as “The Russian Association of Proletariat Writers” were formed in 1934 to produce new literature to celebrate the achievements and experience of ordinary Russian – the “little man”. There were many harsh consequences for those whom did not conform with these strict cultural boundaries. Throughout World War II cultural aims were focused on increasing morale and socialist spirit, seen much before by Socialist Realism and other conformities of culture but some relief was allowed to produce patriotic glorifying the struggle against Germany. Moreover, post 1945 cultural aims were overall on the control of the USSR however repression reappeared. In this essay I am going to explain in detail the argument for how soviet culture did perform a political role in the Soviet Union between 1924 and 1953. Furthermore, also the fact how Stalin used the ‘cult of personality’ to help assert
Soviet culture performed a political role in the USSR in the years 1924 to 1953 as it was seen by Stalin as an expression of society’s values and it needed to be shaped and directed in the same way that agriculture and industry had been to fit into the totalitarian state. However between 1924-1929 culture was fairly uncontrolled because of the relaxed policies of the New Economic Policy. On the contrary, In the 1930’s Major events occurred such as the ‘Cultural Revolution’ which aimed to remove all traces of the “bourgeois” culture by instilling socialist values into the people of the Soviet Union whether it be through Art, Theatre, Film, Music or Literature. Each section was investigated to enforce conformity to the standards set by Joseph Stalin who wanted to promote ‘Social Realism’ in its entirety. The ‘Komsomol’ were used to root out inappropriate material and disrupt plays and shows that did not fit with the values of the Cultural Revolution. More so, new writer groups such as “The Russian Association of Proletariat Writers” were formed in 1934 to produce new literature to celebrate the achievements and experience of ordinary Russian – the “little man”. There were many harsh consequences for those whom did not conform with these strict cultural boundaries. Throughout World War II cultural aims were focused on increasing morale and socialist spirit, seen much before by Socialist Realism and other conformities of culture but some relief was allowed to produce patriotic glorifying the struggle against Germany. Moreover, post 1945 cultural aims were overall on the control of the USSR however repression reappeared. In this essay I am going to explain in detail the argument for how soviet culture did perform a political role in the Soviet Union between 1924 and 1953. Furthermore, also the fact how Stalin used the ‘cult of personality’ to help assert