The Great Retreat

Question 1

What was the name of the women’s branch of the communist party?

Answer 1

Zhenotdel

Question 2

Identify 4 reforms introduced in the 1920’s by Lenin which impacted upon women socially.

Answer 2

1. Divorce is made easily available.
2. Abortion is legalised and available upon demand.
3. Communal childcare , creches, canteens and laundries were promised, to ‘free women from the domestic burden’
4. Wedding rings were banned and marriage ceremonies were dubbed ‘bourgeoisie’.

Question 3

Give 4 statistics which highlight the impact of Lenin’s social reforms in the 1920s.

Answer 3

• By the end of the 1920s, the Soviet Union had the highest divorce rate in Europe, and 50% of marriages ended in divorce.
• On average, women worked an 8 hour day, whilst still performing another 5 hours of domestic duties once they arrived home.
• The birthrate fell
• The uptake of abortion increased

Question 4

When did Stalin abolish the Zhenotdtel?

Answer 4

1930

Question 5

How did family life change as a result of Stalin’s reforms in the 1930s?

Answer 5

Traditional gender roles were re-introduced and family life and marriage were promoted.

Question 6

When were wedding rings re-introduced?

Answer 6

1936

Question 7

Explain Stalin’s attitude to sex in the 1930s.

Answer 7

• In 1934, the government launched an abstinence campaign. Public ‘Medical virginity tests’ were carried out on some women to exemplify them.
• Incest, bigamy, adultery and homosexuality were all re-criminalised
• Under the 5 year plans, Gosplan did not assign any resources to contraception, so contraceptive devices all but disapeared in the early 1930s, to eventually be banned altogether in 1936.

Question 8

When was The Zhendotel formed?

Answer 8

1919

Question 9

What was the name of the young boy who became a Komsomol hero?

Answer 9

Pavlik Morozov, who was allegedly killed by his Father, a Kulak, aged 14 in an act of revenge after denouncing him to the authorities.

Question 10

In what year did Stalin introduces state-approved textbooks as part of ‘The Great Retreat’?

Answer 10

1935.

Question 11

What was the sentence in Stalinist Russia for performing non-medical abortions?

Answer 11

2 years imprisonment

Question 12

How did Stalin make marriage seem more appealing?

Answer 12

• He re-introduced wedding rings in 1936
• Marriage certificates were printed on high quality paper
• Married party members were given access to superior housing and holiday homes.
• Divorces were made difficult to obtain, and charges increased with each divorce.