Children in “Anti-Religious Offensive” at the Turn of the 1920s–1930s

Abstract

The article studies the activities of “godless” youngsters in the initial period of USSR continuous collectivization through the prism of intergenerational relations in the Russian village. Both archival documents and materials of periodicals, methodological publications of the 1920s–1930s were used as the main sources. Priority attention was paid to the analysis of the relationship in the spiritual sphere of the peasant representatives of the “children of the revolution” generation (those whose childhood fell on the first post-revolutionary fifteen years) and the “revolutionary turning point” generation (born at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries). Pioneers and other young activists were involved in the “all-Union anti-religious offensive” officially announced at the end of 1929, during which adherents of some religion were declared class enemies. The authorities relied on the younger generation in the atheism in the village believing that children have fewer prejudices and it is easier to involve them in a confrontation with believing “fathers”. Much attention in the article was paid to highlighting the role of children in changing the rural festive culture, the peculiarities of the spread of atheistic views among children through the media, school, and leisure practices. The position, according to which home education was declared extremely harmful, was officially approved. The school was perceived not only as a tool for raising children, but also as a lever for re-education of parents through their children. In the activities of pioneers, there were clear elements if not of teaching, then of a challenge to the elders. The authorities were forced to maneuver under the influence of mass protests: the “attack on religion” changed, but continued. Under its influence, the confrontation between young atheists and peasant adherents of traditional religions escalated and had devastating consequences for the peasant continuity of generations.