youth

• Komsomol members enthusiastically absorbed his insistence that Soviet culture must help build socialism
• Most popular was Western culture eg Hollywood movies rather than propaganda films
• Lenin

  Purpose of indoctrinating Communist ideals as a critical tool in building a Socialist society; ideology was more important; traditional teachers replaced by committed communists; proletariat students were prioritised in higher education courses; examinations abandoned
• Education reforms under Stalinism


  • Organised school structure – nursery until 3y/o, infant school until 7 y/o, secondary school until 15 y/o
  • Adult education institutions established
  • Universities as agencies for delivering economic growth and put under control of Veshenkha
  • 1930 primary education became compulsory
  • Lessons on Russian and Marxist theory
  • Traditional education practices to prepare kids for disciplined work environment
  • State authorised textbooks and school uniform compulsory
  • 1935 abandoned quota system and replaced with 'selection' – the able received strong academic education
  • Emphasised training of skills that could help in industrialisation [maths, science, technology]
  • The less able received increased amounts of practical work
  • Teachers given higher status, encouraged to set high targets for themselves
  • Teachers were closely watched and arrested if fail to live up to expected high standard
  • Students under the Stakhanovite
• Literacy rate increased from 51% in 1926 to 88% in 1939
• Komsomol

  Young Communist League by Lenin in 1926, ages 10-28 y/o invited to attend
• Komsomol activities


  • Engaged in supporting the implementation of FYPs and were cheerleaders for showpiece celebrations
  • Smoking, drinking and religion banned, instead volunteer social work, sports, political and drama clubs – inspired socialist values
  • Special palaces as community centres for 10-15 y/o 'Young Pioneers' – demanded full commitment, offered social and educational advancement
  • Close links to Party; helped carry out party campaigns and assisted Red Army and police – 1939 direct affiliation
  • Took oath to live, study, fight for Fatherland
• 1940: 10 million Komsomol members
• Komsomol was still in use to encourage Communism in youth
• Some kids preferred Western culture and some opted out
• Lysenko's doctrines


  Socialist qualities developed in one generation can be inherited by the next
• Lysenko's doctrines were unconditionally backed by Stalin
• Silenced if opposed Lysenko's views
• Komsomol Youth Organisations had no room for private life – prioritise communism
• Compulsory schooling
• Rise in literacy rate therefore more opportunities for propagandists to influence young minds