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Repression
"CHAPTER X: ARTICLE 125
... freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of street processions and demonstrations..." Source: 1936 Constitution of the U.S.S.R., 1996
But, during Stalin's rule, scholars were coerced into describing his policies as beneficial.
Their Duties
"Chapter X: Article 130
It is the duty of every citizen of the U.S.S.R. to abide by the Constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, to observe the laws, to maintain labor discipline, to honestly perform public duties, and to respect the rules of socialist intercourse." Source: 1936 Constitution of the U.S.S.R., 1996
Throughout the Great Terror, Soviet citizens, which included government affiliates, still had to respect the Soviet Constitution and accomplish their various responsibilities. While most Soviet citizens were adhering to this,
many government officials disregarded it.
It is the duty of every citizen of the U.S.S.R. to abide by the Constitution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, to observe the laws, to maintain labor discipline, to honestly perform public duties, and to respect the rules of socialist intercourse." Source: 1936 Constitution of the U.S.S.R., 1996
Throughout the Great Terror, Soviet citizens, which included government affiliates, still had to respect the Soviet Constitution and accomplish their various responsibilities. While most Soviet citizens were adhering to this,
many government officials disregarded it.
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"... The Communist Party Central Committee issued a decree calling for a strict ideological version of history to become doctrine in all textbooks, schools, universities, and institutes."
Source: Life in Communist Russia, 2001 Stalin deliberately and frequently distorted reality, denying Soviet citizens their moral right to the truth and failing to honestly perform his duty.
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In addition to the falsification of history, information was withheld from citizens.
"The maps were useless not because Soviet mapmakers were incompetent... Stalin's NKVD had decreed in the late 1930's that no accurate maps should be given to the public for fear that they could fall into the hands of potential adversaries."
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"The average citizen did not know why trains or planes were delayed or when stores would be restocked with goods. The state also controlled all newspapers."
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"Even telephone books were a rarity in Moscow... The public had to buy [information] from public kiosks, which typically charged a small fee for each piece of information. This system was a legacy of the early Bolshevik leaders, who believed that the strict control of information could only help to bring about the communist utopia as quickly as possible."
Source: Life in Communist Russia, 2001 |