Problems of territorial integration and formation of ethnic groups in the USSR in the late 1920s – early 1930s (by the example of Mordovian Autonomy establishment)

Abstract

Background. The research into regional identity formation is required by searching for effective practices to ensure sustainable regional development in the face of globalization challenges. The purpose of the study is a comprehensive review of Mordovian Autonomy establishment in the context of territorial integration and nation-building. Materials and methods. The study was premised on the analysis of office documents from the Department of Nationalities at the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of the RSFSR and regional party committees, presented in the funds of the State Archive of the Russian Federation (F.R. 1235 Documentary archives from the Department of Nationalities of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of the RSFSR, etc.), and the State Archive of Penza region (F. P-36 Penza Provincial Committee of the CPSU(b); P-54 Penza District Committee of the CPSU(b)). Figurative rationale and managing procedure for autonomization and consolida-tion of the Mordovian ethnos are viewed in terms of the new political history, focusing on the research into everyday life and social representations, and the theory of social construc-tionism or the social construction of reality. Results. Characteristic features for territorial integration and ethnic identity development in the population of Penza region in the context of zoning strategy implementation in the USSR in the 1920s – early 1930s are considered. The combination of nation-building strategy and real management practices are specified via a case study of the Mordovian Autonomy establishment. Particular directions and outcomes regarding the construction of ethnic groups within the identified national administrative units are described. Conclusions. A disparity between the declared national policy goals of the CPSU(b) and the principles of economic mobilization, and the internal party struggle effects predetermined cyclical and irrational nature of taken decisions regarding administrative and territorial division reforms subject to the socialist reconstruction guidelines of the national economy. A low starting potential for social and cultural development of the investigated region acted as a constraining factor.

Keywords

• mordovian okrug
• middle volga region
• mordovian autonomous region
• mor-dovian assr
• middle volga krai
• nation-building
• nativization
• administrative and territo-rial division reforms