Life in the USSR: A Mixed Picture of Struggle, Progress, and Decline
As a Finn, I had a unique perspective on the Soviet Union and its citizens. Many people in my hometown worked as interns in the USSR as constructors, offering a glimpse into the nation's daily life and challenges. This article explores the diverse experiences of living in the Soviet Union, from its early calamities under Stalin to the strivings in the later decades.
Challenging Early Years (1918-1953)
The first 35 years of the Soviet Union (1918-1953) were marked by a perpetual disaster. Various factors, including World War I, the civil war, war communism, the interregnum period between Lenin and Stalin, and the Stalinist dictatorship, created a toxic environment of war, terror, poverty, and squalor.
Estimates suggest that up to 30 million Soviet citizens lost their lives during these years, including 90 ethnic Finns who perished in 1917. The era was characterized by famine, persecution, and relentless political purges under Stalin's brutal regime.
Improvements and Economic Rise (Post-Stalin)
After Stalin's death, the Soviet grip began to ease, particularly under Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev. While the USSR remained a dictatorship and a police state, economic improvements and reconstruction efforts led to significant advancements in living standards.
Key areas like the Baltic states, Leningrad, and Moscow saw improvements due to their geographic proximity to Europe and flourishing trade. Leningrad, in particular, enjoyed a lively bilateral trade and tourism, attracting people from neighboring regions.
Living Conditions for the Average Citizen
Living conditions varied significantly based on location. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (the Baltic states) were among the best-off regions, as they had been industrialized before the USSR's annexation in 1940. The proximity to Scandinavia also facilitated tourism and trade.
Leningrad and Moscow, the capitals of the Union, also offered a relatively better quality of life, thanks to their well-developed industries and trade connections with Finland. However, life for kolkhoz peasants was extremely challenging, likened to a feudal system. It wasn't until 1974 that kolkhoz peasants were granted the freedom to leave their rural communities.
Stagnation and Decline in the 1970s and 1980s
The 1970s saw a relative stagnation in the USSR. While the nation had significant achievements in space exploration, it lagged behind in technological innovation and remained reliant on outdated industrial technologies. For instance, the Lada, a car most Finns had gained experience driving on, was cheap but had limited modern amenities.
By the 1980s, it was clear that the Soviet Union would face significant challenges in the future. Many factories and industrial plants operated with outdated technology, and political reforms such as Perestroika, aimed at reinvigorating the economy, failed to deliver desired outcomes.
The decline of the economy, coupled with the discovery of depleted natural resources, led to a sense of despair among the people. The Petsamo nickel production plant, which had been built in 1934, continued to use 1930s technology until the ore deposit ran out in 2013, highlighting the chronic neglect of modernization efforts.
The Brezhnev era, in particular, was characterized by a lack of political innovation and the continuation of heavy-handed governance, which contributed to the overall decay of the Soviet system.
Corruption and Alcoholism
While overt crime was rare, corruption was a pervasive issue in the USSR. Contract workers observed that stealing from company tills and other forms of illicit behavior were common practices. Additionally, alcoholism was widespread, fueled by the cheap availability of vodka, which contributed to countless instances of self-destruction.
Conclusion
Overall, the Soviet experience was a complex tapestry of struggle, progress, and eventual decline. While some regions enjoyed a better quality of life, the harsh reality for many was one of poverty, oppression, and a lack of future prospects. The lessons from the Soviet Union's collapse offer valuable insights into the dangers of rigid authoritarian control and the importance of innovation and economic dynamism.