Passive resistance to Soviet power in rural areas of the Uzbek SSR (based on the materials of Pravda Vostoka, 1935–1936)

Abstract

Based on issues of Pravda Vostoka for 1935–1936, the article identifies the main forms of passive resistance among the peasantry: mass absenteeism, violations of the water-use regime, above all the theft of collective-farm water, and opposition to technical innovations, especially mechanization. The newspaper materials reveal no clear boundary between conscious, albeit passive, resistance, on the one hand, and ordinary indiscipline that did not imply purposeful action against Soviet power, on the other. The author explains this by the fundamental features of the social order of the USSR. Rejecting traditional coercive forms of domination as the main source of legitimacy, Soviet power sought to base its legitimacy on setting and solving ever larger constructive tasks. Therefore, not only acts containing malicious intent, but also insufficient enthusiasm in carrying out economic transformations, above all mechanization, could be treated as serious misconduct. Seeking first to solve a problem, the Soviet press and other authorities changed their approach and moved to significant sanctions — reprimands, dismissals and the like — if phenomena considered shortcomings became stable. The article also substantiates the source-critical relevance of Pravda Vostoka, which remains insufficiently studied in recent historiography. The Soviet periodical press of the 1930s was not merely a transmitter of the state point of view: it also acted as a public controller, exposing the most unattractive sides of Soviet reality in their diversity because it regarded these problems as temporary and solvable.

References

1. Abduazizova N. Istoriya natsional’noy zhurnalistiki [History of National Journalism]. Tashkent, Sharq Publ., 2012, vol. 2. 253 p. (In Russ.)

2. Abdullaev K.N. Oruzhiem pechatnogo slova (Gazety Sovetskogo Turkestana v ideologicheskom obespechenii razgroma basmachestva v Sredney Azii) [By the Weapon of the Printed Word: Newspapers of Soviet Turkestan in the Ideological Support of the Defeat of the Basmachi Movement in Central Asia]. Dushanbe, Donish Publ., 1989. 144 p. (In Russ.)

3. Alimova D., Rashidova D. Makhmudkhodzha Bekhbudiy i ego istoricheskie vozzreniya [Mahmudkhodja Behbudi and His Historical Views]. Tashkent, Ma’naviyat Publ., 1998. 40 p. (In Russ.)

4. Babakhanov M. Iz istorii periodicheskoy pechati Turkestana [From the History of the Periodical Press of Turkestan]. Dushanbe, Donish Publ., 1987. (In Russ.)

5. Lenin V.I. Ekonomika i politika v epokhu diktatury proletariata [Economics and Politics in the Era of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat]. In: Lenin V.I. Polnoe sobranie sochineniy [Complete Works]. Moscow, Gospolitizdat Publ., 1963, vol. 39, pp. 272–273. (In Russ.)

6. Makhkamova N.R. Razvitie i deyatel’nost’ natsional’noy intelligentsii v Uzbekistane XIX — nachala XX veka [Development and Activities of the National Intelligentsia in Uzbekistan in the 19th — Early 20th Centuries]. Obshchestvennye nauki v Uzbekistane, 2002, no. 3–4, pp. 62–70. (In Russ.)

7. Muminova F.I. Iz istorii periodicheskoy pechati Uzbekistana kontsa XIX — nachala XX veka [From the History of the Periodical Press of Uzbekistan at the End of the 19th — Beginning of the 20th Century]. Obshchestvennye nauki v Uzbekistane, 2003, no. 5, pp. 63–69. (In Russ.)

8. Khalid A. Sozdanie Uzbekistana. Natsiya, imperiya i revolyutsiya v rannesovetskiy period [Making Uzbekistan: Nation, Empire, and Revolution in the Early Soviet Period]. K. Tver’yanovich, A. Rudakova, transl. St. Petersburg, Academic Studies Press, 2024. (In Russ.)

9. Yusupov L.U. Pechat’ na narodnykh stroykakh Uzbekistana (1938–1941) [The Press at Uzbekistan’s People’s Construction Projects, 1938–1941]. Tashkent, Fan Publ., 1974. 89 p. (In Russ.)

10. Ernazarov T.E., Akbarov A.I. Istoriya pechati Turkestana (1870–1925 gg.) [History of the Press of Turkestan, 1870–1925]. Tashkent, Ukituvchi Publ., 1976, pp. 243–279. (In Russ.)

11. Ernazarov T.E., Akbarov A.I. Istoriya pechati Uzbekistana [History of the Press of Uzbekistan]. Tashkent, Ukituvchi Publ., 1977, p. 15. (In Russ.)

12. Abduazizova N. Oʻzbekiston jurnalistikasi tarixi [History of Uzbekistan Journalism]. Toshkent, Akademia nashriyoti, 2002. 192 p. (In Uzb.)

13. Boltaboyev X. Fitrat va jadidchilik. Ilmiy-tadqiqiy maqolalar [Fitrat and Jadidism: Research Articles]. Toshkent, Navoiy nomidagi Oʻzbekiston Milliy kutubxonasi nashriyoti, 2007. 285 p. (In Uzb.)

14. Doʻstqoraev B. Choʻlpon: gazeta — yettinchi davlat [Choʻlpon: Newspaper as the Seventh State]. Oʻzbekiston adabiyoti va san’ati, 2004, November 14. (In Uzb.)

15. Kamp M. The New Woman in Uzbekistan. Islam, Modernity, and Unveiling under Communism. Seattle, University of Washington Press, 2006, pp. 103–107.

16. Qosimov B. Vatan va millatning oʻtligʻ kuychisi [The Fiery Singer of the Motherland and the Nation]. Oʻzbekiston adabiyoti va san’ati, 2003, December 5. (In Uzb.)

17. Said Z. Oʻzbek vaqtli matbuoti tarixiga materiallar (1870–1927) [Materials on the History of the Uzbek Periodical Press, 1870–1927]. In: Said Z. Tanlangan asarlar [Selected Works]. Sh. Turdiev, comp. Toshkent, Adabiyot va saʼnat nashriyoti, 1974, pp. 13–116. (In Uzb.)

18. Adamovich V., Maraimov S. Chto kroetsya za “rekordom” traktorista Abdumadzhitova [What lies behind tractor driver Abdumadzhitov’s “record”]. Pravda Vostoka, 1936, June 8, no. 130. (In Russ.)

19. B.M. Samodovol’nye chinovniki [Self-satisfied officials]. Pravda Vostoka, 1936, May 17, no. 112, p. 3. (In Russ.)

20. Bogomol’nyy R. Kogda ser’yezno vzyalis’ za delo [When they got down to business seriously]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 2, no. 150, p. 1. (In Russ.)

21. Vasevich M. Net vnimaniya zernu [No attention to grain]. Pravda Vostoka, 1936, October 15, no. 239, p. 4. (In Russ.)

22. Vodu doverili bezdel’nikam [Water was entrusted to idlers]. Pravda Vostoka, 1936, June 8, no. 130, p. 1. (In Russ.)

23. Vodoy komanduyut komu ne len’ [Water is commanded by whoever wants to]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 5, no. 153, p. 1. (In Russ.)

24. Volkova R. Teper’ obrashchayus’ po imeni… K 100-letiyu gazety “Pravda Vostoka” (vospominaniya o Tat’yane Eseninoy) [Now I address them by name… On the centenary of Pravda Vostoka: memories of Tatyana Yesenina]. Novosti Uzbekistana, 2017, June 11, 16, 20, 26. (In Russ.)

25. Zharkov G. Grubo izvrashchayut ukazaniya ob avansakh [Instructions on advances are grossly distorted]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 2, no. 150, p. 1. (In Russ.)

26. Zharkov G. Opytnikam-fergantsam ne okazyvayut pomoshchi [No assistance is given to the Fergana experimental farmers]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 4, no. 152, p. 1. (In Russ.)

27. Zagotzerno zabylo ob ambarakh [Zagotzerno forgot about granaries]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 2, no. 150, p. 1. (In Russ.)

28. Ink. Net vnimaniya otstayushchim kolkhozam [No attention to lagging collective farms]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, August 26, no. 196, p. 1. (In Russ.)

29. Lopukhov V. Kogda pokryvayut ochkovtirateley [When eye-washers are covered up]. Pravda Vostoka, 1936, June 22, no. 143, p. 3. (In Russ.)

30. Lopukhov V. Mnimoe blagopoluchie [Imaginary well-being]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 9, no. 156, p. 1. (In Russ.)

31. Maraimov S. Ne dopuskat’ nikakoy mobilizatsii v obrabotke khlopka [Do not allow any “mobilization” in cotton cultivation]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 22, no. 167, p. 1. (In Russ.)

32. Maraimov S. Chto eto za shtuka kul’tivator? [What kind of thing is a cultivator?]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 17, no. 168, p. 1. (In Russ.)

33. Mikhaylov G. Pole okazalos’ zatoplennym [The field turned out to be flooded]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 3, no. 151, p. 2. (In Russ.)

34. Neobkhodimo vmeshatel’stvo prokurora respubliki [The republic prosecutor’s intervention is necessary]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 26, no. 170, p. 1. (In Russ.)

35. N.N. Glavnoe — pravil’no organizovat’ trud [The main thing is to organize labor correctly]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 26, no. 170, p. 1. (In Russ.)

36. Na polyakh respubliki [In the fields of the republic]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 2, 3, 4, 5, 24. (In Russ.)

37. Nemets K. Vopreki direktivam partii [Contrary to party directives]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 30, no. 174, p. 2. (In Russ.)

38. Obezlichka poley traktornogo seva [The depersonalization of tractor-sown fields]. Pravda Vostoka, 1936, May 15, no. 110, p. 3. (In Russ.)

39. P.P. Stil’ Mamadalieva [Mamadaliev’s style]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 3, no. 151, p. 2. (In Russ.)

40. Pap. Vesti iz kolkhozov [News from collective farms]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, August 20, no. 191, p. 2. (In Russ.)

41. Slova i dela [Words and deeds]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 17, no. 168, p. 1. (In Russ.)

42. Sokhranim skver Revolyutsii [Let us preserve Revolution Square]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 4, no. 152, p. 4. (In Russ.)

43. Strakhov S. Tashkent vody ne prishlyot… [Tashkent will not send water…]. Pravda Vostoka, 1935, July 24, no. 169, p. 1. (In Russ.)