Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
37
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
P
AGES
:
37-43
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
This article analyzes the issues of historiography and source studies of the researches related to the history of
repression policy carried out by the Soviet authorities in Uzbekistan. In addition, the types of sources related to the
history of repression policy and their classification problems were discussed. Moreover, important archival documents
related to the topic were analyzed.
KEYWORDS
Uzbekistan, repression, National Archives of Uzbekistan, source, classification, fund, collection, land-water reforms,
mass collectivization policy.
INTRODUCTION
The history of Uzbekistan, specifically, social and
political processes of 1924-1941 is a period of unique
conflicts and sharp struggles between social groups.
During this period, not only in Uzbekistan, but also in
all the republics under the control of the USSR, armed
resistance and actions for independence were carried
out against the system of Soviet power. The Soviet
government periodically carried out a series of
repressive measures to consolidate its power and
prevent the growth of armed resistance. In particular,
many historical documents related to the repressive
policies of the Soviet regime are today stored in
Research Article
ARCHIVE DOCUMENTS AS A SOURCE FOR THE HISTORY OF REPRESSIVE
POLICY OF THE SOVIET AUTHORITIES
Submission Date:
February 06, 2024,
Accepted Date:
February 11, 2024,
Published Date:
February 16, 2024
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajsshr/Volume04Issue02-07
Sherzod Choriev
Phd, Associate Professor Department Of "Source Studies And Archival Studies", Faculty Of History, National
University Of Uzbekistan
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajsshr
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
38
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
P
AGES
:
37-43
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
archives, and most of them have not been fully studied
by scientific researchers.
Historiography and methodology
During the years of Uzbekistan's independence,
historians conducted a number of studies related to
the history of repression policy. These studies were
carried out based on various approaches and research
methods, each of which has its scientific value. In
particular, R.Shamsutdinov researched the issues of
Soviet dekulakization, mass collectivization and exile in
Uzbekistan based on many archival documents [1].
In addition, E. Dostmatov, Zh. Rasulov analyzed the
research carried out within the framework of the topic
from the point of view of historiography [2], and Z. R.
Ishankhadzhaeva conducted a special study on the
repressive policies of the Soviet regime.
THE MAIN PART
Today, there are several studies devoted to the
classification of sources related to the research topic,
and they have different approaches. In her scientific
article, D. Kh. Ziyaeva classified sources related to the
history of victims of repression into the following
groups: archival data; periodical press materials;
memoirs; photos; documentaries; collections of
published documents; Internet materials. In turn, she
divided archival sources related to the research topic
into the following groups: state archives of the
republic and their local branches (regional, city and
district archives); Archives of the Administration of the
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (former party
archives - now the archives of the Administration of
President Sh. Choriev); Archives of the Russian
Federation; Archives of the Commonwealth of
Independent States; film, photo and sound archives
[3]. Agreeing with the opinions of D.Kh. Ziyaeva on the
classification of sources related to the research topic,
they can be grouped as follows:
1. Official documents
2. Archival sources
3. Periodical press materials
4. Memoirs
5. Published literature
The first group of sources includes laws, regulations
and orders adopted by the Soviet government to
eliminate the “kulaks” as a class at that time.
The second group of sources includes decisions,
orders, reports, etc. that are preserved in the archives
today. In turn, they can be divided into a number of
categories.
In the third group, it is possible to highlight such
newspapers as "Kyzil Uzbekiston", "Pravda Vostoka",
which served the interests of the Soviet government at
that time. These publications published information
Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
39
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
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VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
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SJIF
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FACTOR
(2021:
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6.
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(2023:
7.
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OCLC
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1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
about the false accusations of state leaders and
ordinary people of the Uzbekistan SSR [4].
The sources of the fourth group include the memoirs
of many Soviet government officials.
One of the major studies on the history of kulak politics
in Uzbekistan was carried out by R.Shamsutdinov, the
author noted that historical research on the topic of
ending kulaks as a class in Uzbekistan was not
conducted at all [5]. The research has been written as
a reference, which covers information about the
victims of the "Great Terror" policy of the Soviet
regime in chronological and alphabetical system
methods based on secret archive documents. In some
of his articles, the author also focused on issues such
as the destruction of kulaks as a social class and the
restriction of its social rights[6].
Today, research on the history of the repressive
policies of the Soviet regime is being conducted in a
number of directions. However, according to archival
materials on the policy of repression, the repressive
policy of the Soviet government was carried out in the
following areas: removal from office, destruction of
culture, education, literature and art, eavesdropping,
closure of mosques, madrassas, churches and
traditional schools, termination of waqf property, etc.
d.
After the establishment of Soviet power, economic
reforms were carried out to use the allied republics as
a raw material base. The new form of colonialism or the
policy of decolonization caused the resistance and
protests of the peoples of Central Asia. It was the
policy of repression that served as one of the
important tools for strengthening Soviet power.
Initially, the land and water reforms of the Soviet
authorities,
and
later,
the
policy
of
mass
collectivization, also met with mass protests of the
population. Information on the fact that the Soviet
authorities made a number of mistakes in carrying out
the policy of mass collectivization is clearly indicated in
the archived report documents. In particular, the social
condition of the population was analyzed and they
were divided into middle-income, poor and self-
sufficient households. Statistics on the number of rich
households were formed and kulak policy was carried
out[7].
The kulak policy was carried out by the Soviet
government step by step, articles were published and
discussed in the press. Information about their illegal
income was widely disseminated among ordinary
people
who
suffered
from
oppression
by
representatives of the wealthy class.
The Soviet government gained the trust of the poor
population under the slogan that everyone should be
equal according to communist ideas. At the next stage,
this issue was given a political tone and discussed at
government meetings. In 1925, at the plenum of the
Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
40
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
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2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
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P
AGES
:
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SJIF
I
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FACTOR
(2021:
5.
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)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Central Committee of the USSR (April 25-30) and the
XIV conference of the RKB (b), kulaks were assessed as
those who used the labor of hired workers and
engaged in trade in villages. And M.I. Kalinin described
kulak as a person who violated the labor legislation of
the USSR and gained wealth through criminal
means[8].
When the issue of kulakization rose to the political
level, their lists began to be drawn up in the regions.
Today, many such lists are preserved in the R-86-fund
documents of the Central Executive Committee of the
Uzbek SSR of the National Archives of Uzbekistan. For
example, in the fund's 10th collection list, 111, 862 to -
866, 1231 to - 1235, the alphabetical lists of kulak
households are preserved in the collection form [9].
Only in the 111th collection, which consists of 50 pages,
416 kulaks are listed [10].
The lists stored in this fund contain the names of many
of our compatriots. For example, in one case, 416
“kulaks” were recorded.
It should be noted that under the Central Executive
Committee of the Uzbek SSR there was a commission
for amnesty of citizens, and many citizens of our
republic sent many appeals to this commission
regarding the unjust imprisonment of their brothers,
fathers, spouses and other relatives who were
subjected to repressive policies. In particular, in the 1st
inventory of the fund of the Central Executive
Committee of the Uzbek SSR (R-86), in files from 7746
to 7960, documents of the commission for considering
amnesty issues were preserved.
For example, one of the documents states that
Sattarhoja Abdullahoja was imprisoned for 3 years
because he was an imam and owed 955.2 rubles in
agricultural tax. According to the document,
Sattarkhoja Abdullahoja was the sole breadwinner of
the family, his house was confiscated, and his wife and
children were thrown out onto the street. His wife's
complaint in this regard was not upheld [11]. Also in
cases 7976
–
7979 of this inventory, complaints written
by the “kulaks” themselves were preserved [12].
Several documents of this type are available in the
funds of the People's Commissariat of Justice of the
Uzbekistan SSR and the Supreme Court. However,
documents from the above-mentioned funds are
practically not used in scientific researches. It should
be noted that these historical materials require special
scientific research. Research on repressive policies has
mainly focused on judicial documents, leaving amnesty
applications outside the scope. However, examining
these applications could provide valuable insights into
the impact of these policies throughout history.
According to an analysis of documents, almost 98% of
requests were rejected. Appeal documents often
contain detailed explanations of the social position of
family members of the repressed. However,
researching
these
documents
requires
new
Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
41
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
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VOLUME
04
ISSUE
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AGES
:
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SJIF
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FACTOR
(2021:
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(2022:
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(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
approaches, such as historical-sociological or historical-
psychological research methods, to reveal their mental
experiences.
CONCLUSION
The policy of "dekulakization" pursued by the Soviet
government remains a relevant topic today. While
many studies have been conducted using the National
Archives of Uzbekistan, there are still many unstudied
documents. Further research is needed to fully
understand the impact and significance of this policy.
Many of our compatriots were repressed based on
their religious beliefs, profession, social origin, and
belonging to the old system or former. This occurred
particularly in the funds of the Central Executive
Committee of the Uzbek SSR and the People's
Commissariat of the Labor Peasant Inspectorate.
Despite these events, their application documents and
statements are still stored in the archive and have not
been
scientifically
examined.
The
policy
of
decolonialism caused resistance and protests among
the peoples of Central Asia. Repression served as an
important tool for strengthening Soviet power and
was applied not only in Uzbekistan, but also in other
union republics in various areas such as education,
religion, culture, language, and politics. Special taxes
were introduced for non-members of the collective
farm, and trials were held in cotton fields to punish
those who didn't meet cotton harvest targets. The
population was intimidated to raise the image of the
harvest. Property of those who drove their family
members onto the streets was confiscated, and people
aged 60-70 were deprived of freedom for 1-3 years.
These practices show how the government used harsh
measures to control the population and meet
production targets.It's sad to hear about the
repressive policies that were implemented in
Uzbekistan, which affected not only the local
population but also representatives of different
nationalities.
It's
unfortunate
that
counter-
revolutionary articles were used to punish those who
opposed the collective farm policy of the Soviet
government. The consequences of these policies were
severe, leaving many families without breadwinners
and causing the local population to join armed
resistance units.
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(ISSN
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VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
P
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:
37-43
SJIF
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MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
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Volume 04 Issue 02-2024
43
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
02
P
AGES
:
37-43
SJIF
I
MPACT
FACTOR
(2021:
5.
993
)
(2022:
6.
015
)
(2023:
7.
164
)
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
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