Shortcomings of ‘Everyday Revolution’ in Soviet Russia in 1920s: A Peasant Perspective

Abstract

This study explores the dynamics between peasants of the “revolutionary generation” (those born in the late 19th century) and the “children of the revolution” whose child-hood and youth coincided with the first fifteen years of Soviet rule. The Komsomol members stood out in rural areas due to their activism and transformative aspirations. The article reveals the conflicting attitudes of peasants towards the Komsomol’s struggle against “vestiges of the past” in everyday life, leading to a gradual escalation of intergenerational conflict by the late 1920s. While the Komsomol often excelled in constructive activities, their focus on creation did not define their style, lacking experience and cultural refinement. The Komsomol’s rhetoric and practices clashed with the traditional values and religious beliefs of older peasants, who largely rejected the push towards complete socialization of daily life. Peasants disapproved of the radical approaches of the Komsomol towards rural issues, their thoughtless denial of traditions and values, and at times, the negative-deviant behavior of rural youth.