Women’s Struggle in Russia

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What were the causes behind the emergence of female terrorists that arose in Russia after 1900?

One of the causes was the movement by Social Revolutionist Party that found strong support among women. The liberal views that were predominant at that time led to women fighting alongside men for a chance at a revolution. A great part of the want to participate in the movement women gained from personal, emotional and social factors. They were psychologically determined to get themselves involved in the fight for a brighter future.

A social revolution became a way of life and women were feeling more empowered than ever. They were also influenced by ideas of feminism and the benefits that the movement could bring. The rebellion was contagious, and women were gaining success in the feminist movement. Even though times seemed to have been changing, the old ways and social ideas were still dominant. This was another factor that led to women wanting to make reforms, and it reflected in their behavior (Noonan 2001).

What were the characteristic features of the Russian women’s movement during the reign of Alexander II?

The time during Alexander II reign was much beneficial for women. It was considered to be one of the most successful women’s movements in Europe. This was due to the liberal behaviors of the government and social changes.

There was a great expansion of education and employment for women and other numerous opportunities that were not available before. The social beliefs that a woman must be a mother and a wife were dramatically changing. Women were receiving more rights to get a proper education and enjoy the benefit of social and economic needs of the time.

As Russia’s social life was beginning to slowly change there became a dire need for doctors, teachers and even technicians. Women were glad to take up the working force and extend their rights in a practical way. The movement of Russia’s civil and political rights was greatly noticeable and was drastically different from the rest of Europe. The feminist movement was thought to be one of the most liberal and fair ones of those times (Bisha 2002).

What are the differences between Kollontai’s and Krupskaya’s approaches to the “women question”?

Alexandra Kollontai was growing up in an ordered and structured environment. As a result, she believed that women must be enlightened in the revolutionary changes that were taking place, and have a rightful hand at implementing new policies and understanding of the women’s movement.

She was also more gentle and activist like, as she travelled a lot to find the right place where her ideas and direction could be useful and bring results. Nadezhda Krupskaya, on the other hand, was more assertive and socially involved domestically. As she was Vladimir Lenin’s wife, she was heavily affected by his ideologies which transferred over to the views on women’s social changes. She was even involved in the decisions that were being made in regards to abortion and strongly opposed certain criteria that were presented (Lapidus 1978).

What steps towards the emancipation of women were taken by Lenin’s government?

Vladimir Lenin and the government were supporters of women’s liberation. They wanted to give more rights to women who were working and were lower than average socio-economic class.

Women’s movement and ideas of the government were a great part of the social changes that Lenin and his supporters were trying to make. Lenin was responsible for organizing a group of Social-Democrats who were greatly involved in the worker’s movement in St. Petersburg. As Lenin was making all possible uses of illegal press, he created pamphlets that advocated women’s rights and their contribution in the social make-up of the nation.

His speeches were filled with gratitude and pride of women heroes who had given all their efforts and even lives for the social cause. He also made the public realize that peasant women were greatly oppressed and that society must change its views. He made sure that women became instrumental in the social work that was so needed for the revolution and a new understanding to take place (Denisova 2010).

How did the policies and campaigns that were implemented in Soviet Russia in the 1930s affect Soviet women?

According to several historical resources, women were gaining more rights and freedoms. Employment, education and professional development were among a few cited benefits that women were affected by. The industry and agriculture were employing women in great numbers, which allowed for changes in the social life. Also, personal family matters were influenced, as women became the centre of the family and would play a major role in the raising of children, both intellectually and ethically (Pushkareva 1997).

There are other views that report of this changing situation being overplayed by the government. Even though women’s rights were not as liberal as wanted, they still greatly contributed to the nation and increased its capital by working in almost all professional fields. But the fact that women comprised a large portion of the working force was underplayed; their efforts were still underestimated which had an influence on women’s position towards the social changes that were starting to take a more controversial turn (Johanson 1987)

What important roles did Soviet women play during World War 2?

During World War II, Soviet women were instrumental in the manufacturing field. They were greatly involved in the industry, transportation and production of military equipment. Hundreds of thousands were in live combat and became highly decorated heroes of the nation.

Not only were there women pilots and infantry, there were tank operators, medical nurses and assistants, political correspondents and even snipers (Sakaida 2003). A lot of women participated in the partisan movement and selflessly gave their best efforts.

When captured, they would keep secret information from the Germans and did not break under torture and beatings. Many women were spreading propaganda and secret correspondence. Others participated in sabotaging German troops and echelons. Even though women’s role in the war was obvious there was still much gender discrimination. When Joseph Stalin emancipated women, not a lot has changed and thus, the nation was short of combat soldiers (Noggle 1994).

What problems did Soviet women face during Khrushchev and Brezhnev times?

During the ruling of Khrushchev, there were many claims that stated how women were being liberated, especially during the social revolution. The government acknowledged the contribution that women have made, which resulted in social, political and economic policy making in women’s favor.

The fight for gender equality was gaining momentum and labor relations were becoming characterized by equality in the workplace. Masculinity of the social make-up and the division of roles was becoming less noticeable, so it is possible to say that the government took steps to better the existing conditions (Smith 2011).

In Brezhnev times, many laws that were forgotten and not supported came into full force. Abortion was legalized and women became a rightful part of the society and family life.

The government was aiming to increase wages and working conditions for women, but the society was very predisposed to any major shift in gender roles. Divorce process was made easier and the number of social programs was increased. The centers for children and care programs became of great aid to those women who wanted to pursue professional careers (Matthews 1989).

Reference List

Bisha, R 2002, Russian Women, 1698-1917: Experience and Expression, An Anthology of Sources, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN.

Denisova, L 2010, Rural Women in the Soviet Union and Post-Soviet Russia, Taylor & Francis, New York, NY.

Johanson, C 1987, Women’s Struggle for Higher Education in Russia, 1855-1900, McGill-Queen’s Press Quebec, Canada.

Lapidus, G 1978, Women in Soviet Society: Equality, Development, and Social Change, University of California Press, Los Angeles, CA.

Matthews, M 1989, Patterns of Deprivation in the Soviet Union Under Brezhnev and Gorbachev, Hoover Press Stanford, CA.

Noggle, A 1994, A Dance With Death: Soviet Airwomen in World War II, Texas A&M University Press, College Station, TX.

Noonan, N 2001, Encyclopedia of Russian Women’s Movements, Greenwood Publishing Group, Westport, CT.

Pushkareva, N 1997, Women in Russian History: From the Tenth to the Twentieth Century, M.E. Sharpe Armonk, NY.

Sakaida, H 2003, Heroines of the Soviet Union 1941-45, Osprey Publishing, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Smith, J 2011, Khrushchev in the Kremlin: Policy and Government in the Soviet Union, 1953 64, Taylor & Francis, New York, NY.

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