Soviet Disunion: A History Of The Nationalities Problem In The USSR

Description

Provides an historical overview of the serious nationalism crisis within the Soviet Union, and argues that it could easily undermine Gorbachev's recent reforms. Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction A Note on Dates A Note on Names Part One 1 Nations of the Russian Empire Early Russian conquests The Russians* southern and western neighbours The Transcaucasus 2 1917 Revolutions: The Empire Breaks Up An independent Ukraine A voluntary federation of nations ‘Independent* Soviet governments in re-occupied lands 3 1919: Sovereign Soviet Republics The beginning» of a ‘National Contract* Military alliance (or union) formalized Ukrainian communists v. Bolsheviks 4 The Moslem Nations Tatar national communists Bashkiria The North Caucasus Turkestan: the rise and fall of Kokand autonomy Basmachi: the Mujahedin of Central Asia Link with Russia restored Turkestan’s national communists Lenta reasserts direct rule 5 National Contracts with the Non-Russians External national contracts: the Balts The gathering of the Caucasus Stalin's autonomisation scheme Lenin*« Testament Non-Russians strive to safeguard their rights The National Contract finalized 6 The National Contract Torn Up The National Contract observed? Ontoous breaches of the National Contract Collectivization: the rural Terror Assault on the nations The Great Terror Destruction of the cultural elite Russification 7 Between Hitler and Stalin Breaking in the new members of the Soviet family Hitler invades: one people deported - another abandoned The response of the non-Russians Stalin appeals to the Russians Stalin invokes ‘national contracts' From near-defeat towards victory 8 Stalin’s Last Years: The Terror Against Nations Deportation of nations; the ‘Tatarenrein’ Crimea The restoration of Soviet 'Ordnung’ The post-war armed resistance of the Ukrainians and the Balts Witch-hunt for ‘nationalists’ Anti-Semitism: official The ‘Doctors’ Plot* Part Two 9 Towards a Partial Restoration of the National Contract Beria attempts to play the nationalities card A special deal for the Ukrainians? Kazakhstan and the ‘Virgin Lands Scheme* De-Stalinization and the nationalities Cultural revivals and renewed national assertiveness Literature and history Deported peoples 10 Khrushchev Changes Course Again Khrushchev’s education law and its imposition A new offensive against ‘local’ nationalism Purges in the non-Russian republics National dissent and opposition Ferment and the affirmation of national identity 11 Brezhnev and Kosygin Make Their Mark Ferment in the Ukraine Silva Kaputikian's Warning Towards the 50th anniversary of Soviet rule The Sino-Soviet conflict and the national question Moderation or a holding action? Shelest and the Ukraine The Hussites The Twenty-fourth Party Congress enunciates a ‘new’ formula 12 Forging the Soviet People The political and cultural purge in the Ukraine Other developments during the jubilee year Brezhnev’s 50th anniversary speech and its implications Artificial forcing in all but name In defence of national rights 13 Acceleration Amid ‘Stagnation’ The Brezhnev Constitution 14 Andropov and Chernenko Keep up the Pressure 15 Andropov and Chernenko Keep up the Pressure The Chernenko interlude Resistance in a neo-Stalinist climate The situation on the eve of Gorbachev’s accession 16 Gorbachev and the Advent of Glasnost’ A new leadership - but no new nationalities policy Central Asia remains the main problem Environmental issues and the Chernobyl* nuclear disaster Moscow rules out real change Religious double standards The Alma-Ata Hots and their repercussions Environmental issues Limited piecemeal concessions ‘Nationalist epidemics* ... but still no change in policy 17 Crisis in the Empire The Balts lead the way 18 Waiting for Gorbachev More contradictions and contrasts Constitutional crisis Inharmonious ‘harmonization’ The crisis deepens Gorbachev proclaims a state of ‘tremendous danger* The centre attempts to draw the line Into the nineties Conclusion Appendix ‘The lesser breeds* Government system Notes Select Bibliography Index