HEROISM AS AN IDEOLOGICAL CONCEPT OF STALIN’S ERA

HEROISM AS AN IDEOLOGICAL CONCEPT OF STALIN’S ERA

Authors

• I. Savin A.

Keywords:

Heroism, ideology, Marxism, heroic masses, individual hero, Soviet Union, Stalin

Abstract

The article focuses on the origins of ideological concept of soviet heroism during 1910-1930s. Basing on the variety of literature data and archival sources, the article demonstrates how Bolsheviks have transformed one of the key statements of Marxism – that the only truly important actors and heroes of history are the masses. Pragmatic consequences of Civil War victory forced Bolsheviks to partially reconsider Marxist views on the role of heroic personality in history, and they started to gradually individualize the heroes. The first step was forming the cult, dedicated to Fallen Heroes. Individualization of soviet heroes during the Civil War logically resulted in the creation of first institutionalized heroes: recipients of the Order of the Red Banner. During NEP the concept of individual heroes began to change. During 1920s, egalitarian ideas once again began to triumph heroization of individual people. In full accordance with Marxist dogma, whole labor collectives were nominated as heroes. Transition from dogmatic Marxist understanding of heroism to innovative, for Bolsheviks, understanding of key role of distinct heroes finalized during 1930s, because of the necessity in heroes, who would personally embody social construction, while being absolutely necessary for emulation and the emergence of soviet identity.