In 1936, abortion was outlawed by the Soviet government. Though it had been legalized in 1920, by the 1930s, there was a need to combat declining birth rates as well as a need to preserve the “family unit.” The above photo is an example of propaganda directed at women in the Soviet Union. The text … Continue reading Back and Forth on Abortions in 1930s Soviet Union →
Women’s Sexuality and the Changing Culture of the 1980s
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Much like in the West, the Soviet Union experienced a “sexual revolution” – of a sort. By the 1980s, female sexuality had become a topic of interest, though it still was seen by many as taboo. The beginning of “glastnost,” or openness, led to more awareness of the female body; yet as with any sexual … Continue reading Women’s Sexuality and the Changing Culture of the 1980s →
The End of Stalin’s Regime: A Thaw?
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After the death of the Vozhd’, Joseph Stalin, the future of the Soviet Union seemed unclear. Who would rise to power in his stead, and how would they lead? Through primary sources, we can see that those within the Communist Party mourned Stalin while still internally clamoring for a change. Once Khrushchev rose to power, … Continue reading The End of Stalin’s Regime: A Thaw? →
Harvesting Tea by Prokudin-Gorskii
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Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii’s photo, “A Group of Workers Harvesting Tea,” is a clear example of Russia’s changing economic structure and strange contradictory nature. The photo, taken between 1907 and 1915, depicts workers picking tea in a field on the outskirts of the Russian empire. They are dressed in light, loose-fitting clothing and are tasked with … Continue reading Harvesting Tea by Prokudin-Gorskii →
