Expert board:

• Scientific Council of RAS on economic history;
• Research and Educational Center «The economic history of Central Russia and the Middle Volga region» of Ogarev Mordovia State University;
• Center of Economic History of  Lomonosov Moscow State University

Certificate of registration

Fedor N. Kozlov

I. Ya. Yakovlev Chuvash State Pedagogical University (Cheboksary, Russia),

e-mail: fedor1977@yandex.ru

 

“Remove the Bells!..”: The History of Bell Seizure in the USSR in the Late 1920s–1930s: A Case Study of the Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic

 

Abstract

Introduction. Based on published and archival sources, this paper examines the history of bell ringing suppression and bell seizure in the USSR during the late 1920s and 1930s, with a focus on the specific case of the Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic as a reflection of nationwide events.

Materials and Methods. The primary source material for this research consists of documents from state archives in the Russian Federation and periodical publications from the 1930s. This study employs an integrated methodological approach, incorporating general scientific and specialized scientific methods, such as historical-systemic and historical-comparative analysis.

Results. In the Soviet period of Russian history, the anti-religious struggle was one of the key factors of ideological education. At the same time, economic methods of suppressing a competitor were actively used. One of the important ways to limit the possibilities of religious organizations was the prohibition of bell ringing and the removal of the bells themselves under the plausible pretext of ensuring industrialization and satisfying agriculture with specialized equipment. The analysis of the situation in the Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic allows us to see how theoretical attitudes were put into practice and compare desired outcomes with actual results.

Discussion and Conclusion. The Chuvash ASSR followed the national line in implementing anti-religious policies. Actions were taken to limit church bells (often in violation of existing laws) and remove them. Despite these efforts, the results fell short of the expectations of both the initiators and agricultural producers.

Keywords: Chuvash ASSR, church bells, industrialization, tractor fund, removal of bells, Rudmetalltorg.

For citation: Kozlov F. N. “Remove the Bells!..”: The History of Bell Seizure in the USSR in the Late 1920s–1930s: A Case Study of the Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. Economicheskaya istoriya = Russian Journal of Economic History. 2024; 20(3): 259–267. (In Russ.)

 

Download article in PDF