Ideological influence of the soviet authority on women in the western regions of the USSR (mid-1940s - first half of 1950s)

Abstract

The article highlights the features of ideological influence on women in the western regions of the Ukrainian SSR in the first postwar years. It was established that ideological work among women had its own structure, a number of activities and employees of the «ideological front». The quantitative and qualitative composition of agitators was found out, which was often characterized by low level of education, lack of professional experience, elementary culture of behavior. Political distrust of the locals prompted the authorities to enlist the support of immigrant women, mostly from the easternregions of the Ukrainian SSR and the USSR.The main forms and methods of ideological work are characterized, among which it is necessary to single out verbal means of influence – conversations, seminars, lectures. In addition, women were involved in meetings and gatherings of various levels, were participants in clubs and conferences. Means of visual propaganda became widespread.It is investigated that women's worldview was formed under the influence of generally accepted social roles, ways of thinking and patterns of behavior. This practice was to form a myth about the advantages of the Soviet way of life, to impose the image of a «new Soviet woman».

Keywords

• women’s councils
• agitation and propaganda events
• agitators
• women delegates
• first post-war years