DOI: 10.25136/2409-868X.2020.12.34658

Abstract: The purpose of the study is to identify the main directions and results of historical studies of the epidemic situation in the USSR in the 1930s at the present stage of development of national historiography. Its relevance is due to the possibilities of a deep understanding of historical and modern trends in the development of epidemic processes and the assessment of historical experience in combating epidemics. Previously, the epidemic situation in the USSR in the 1930s did not become an independent subject of historiographical analysis. Two main directions have been identified. The first is connected with the conduct of historical and demographic research, the second - with research on the history of the formation and development of the healthcare system in the USSR. It is shown that the results of historical research consist in determining the political, socio-economic and environmental factors of epidemic morbidity, identifying positive and negative trends in the development of healthcare, quantifying the level of morbidity, assessing the role of infections in the structure of mortality. The historiography evaluates the level and resource potential of healthcare, analyzes measures to counteract epidemics, characterizes the role of epidemics in the onset of demographic crises, and reveals their negative impact on the processes of demographic modernization. It is concluded that approaches to historical and demographic research have changed: from identifying demographic crises, scientists have moved on to historical generalizations, analysis of morbidity and mortality based on the concept of "epidemiological transition". The results of the research show that the healthcare system has developed, taking into account the experience of population losses due to epidemics and despite the lack of resources. The emphasis in the fight against epidemics was placed on preventive measures, vaccination of the population was an effective tool.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-868X.2019.1.28498

Abstract: The goal of this research is to determine the changes in social behavior of peasantry in the conditions of escalation of the food problem and famine during the 1928-1934 (on the materials of Ural Region and Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic). The author examines the factors and behavioral characteristics, giving special attention of the analysis of evolution in the actions of Ural peasants as the situation worsened. The relevance of this work is substantiated by the attempts to have a more detailed perspective on the scale of social disruption in the agrarian sphere and rural community in the USSR during the 1930’s. The descriptive method allows characterizing the changes in peasants’ behavior in terms of worsening of the food situation. The historical-genetic method allows viewing the changes in peasants’ actions at the initial stages and escalation of famine, determine the cause and effect links between the growing food crisis and changes in behavior of the rural population. The scientific novelty consists in conducting a special research on the social behavior of Ural peasantry in the conditions of famine in the early 1930’s, which has not previously become an independent subject of study. It is demonstrated that initial cause of peasants’ protest was the procurements, and then the focus shifted towards the indignation over famine. During the 1932-1933, the collective demonstrations, escape to cities, and looting were mostly justified by filling their need in food. Escalation of famine also led to manifestation of social deviations. In 1933, the rise in mortality created a threat to reproduction of the rural population, which in the Ural Region was more evident than in Bashkir ASSR.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-868X.2018.11.27958

Abstract: The subject of this article is the research approaches towards assessing the Russian and Soviet demographic damage in the XX century within the modern historiography. Special attention is given to the analysis of conceptual generalizing scientific works on demographic history of Russia. The author analyzes the subject and factors of scholarly discussions regarding the topic of population losses of the country. The relevance of the study is substantiated by the possibility of implementation of the conceptual scientific-historical comprehension of the country’s demographic history in the XX century, more profound understanding of the crisis trend in modern demographic situation, and consideration of the historical experience in developing the demographic strategies. The scientific novelty lies in examination of the modern historiography of the Russian and Soviet demographic history in the context of determining the key research approaches towards assessing the demographic damage in the country over the past century. The study demonstrates that the historians and demographers explore demographic consequences of the socio-historical cataclysms, analyzing the index of population size, demographic processes and demographic structures; as well as attempts to assess the demographic damage of the country over the century. A number of scholars suggested the options of correcting the statistical data due to the undercount of demographic events of falsification of population records. A conclusion is made that the current historiographical trend is vectored towards clarification of the existing data on the demographic damage of the country in the XX century.