Wartime Conversion of Kalmykia’s Fishing Industry in the Late-to-Mid 1930s

Abstract

Introduction. In the 1920s–1930s, the mobilization of human and material resources played a huge role in the process of reforming the Red Army and strengthening the country’s defense capability. The period witnessed measures aimed to prepare forces and means for the development of the Soviet armed services and protection of the country. The preparation system also included economic (food) mobilization not only for the current army allowance but also for investing the necessary material reserves in case of wartime, to secure uninterrupted supply of the army during a war. Goals. The article attempts an analysis of how Kalmykia’s fishing industry was converted to the wartime agenda in the mid-to-late 1930s. Results. Along with the delivery and procurement of agricultural and livestock products to the government, the supply of fish products is considered in the article not only as an aspect of mass catering, food security, exports — but also as a means to meet the needs of the army and secure the country’s defense. The development of Kalmykia’s fishing industry in the mid-to-late1930s across the Volga-Caspian basin resulted in a significant contribution to the supply of fish products for special consumers (military) according to orders of the People’s Commissariat for Fishing Industry of the USSR.