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Overview
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, it fell apart along lines which had first been drawn up by the Soviet Communists in the years following the Russian Revolution. The Russian Bolsheviks had no blueprint for how to deal with the problems posed by a multinational state, and this period was crucial as they felt their way towards creating a system which would allow the nationalists of the old Russian empire to flourish and develop. In this first work in English to examine the question, Jeremy Smith makes extensive use of previously unavailable material from the archives of the former Soviet Union. The book explores the disputes surrounding the creation of a federal multinational state—the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Synopsis
Makes use of previously unavailable archive material to provide a refreshing and challenging new look at the nationality policies of the early Soviet government.
Booknews
Challenging the common belief that the Bolshevik policy towards non-Russian nationalities in the formation of the U.S.S.R. was a matter purely of convenience and opportunism, Smith (history, U. of Helsinki) explores the policy debates within the upper to middle levels of the Soviet government regarding both the nationalities which were to become the basis of the nominally independent republics and those who resided within Russia. He argues that the aspirations of certain members of the non-Russian political classes dovetailed with the objectives of Lenin and Stalin to build national identities which would breed support for socialism. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)