Komsomol Organization of Kalmykia: Pre-Deportation and Restoration Period Efforts Analyzed

Abstract

Introduction. In the immediate aftermath of the Nazi defeat in Kalmykia’s territory, local Komsomol members initiated most essential efforts to restore ruined industrial facilities, buildings of public organizations, schools, took active part in agricultural works and war-supporting activities. Nonetheless, on 28 December 1943 the Kalmyk ASSR was abolished, the whole Kalmyk people were wrongly blamed and deported to Siberia. Goals. The article attempts an analytical insight into activities of Kalmykia’s Komsomol organization before the deportation and in the restoration period. Materials and methods. The study focuses on unpublished documents housed at the National Archive of Kalmykia and periodicals of those years. Results and conclusions. The analysis of archival papers shows despite a limited number of members the Komsomol organization did facilitate a successful revival of the Republic in the post-occupation era. However, the tremendous contribution was ignored when it came to repressions against the Kalmyks in December of 1943. On return from Siberia and during the restoration of autonomy in 1957, there was a slight increase in numbers of Komsomol members who showed great enthusiasm to reconstruct the Republic.