The Great Urals: Regionalism and the Evolution of the Soviet System 9781501725517

Citation preview

The Great Urals

THE GREAT URALS Regionalism and the Evolution of the Soviet System

]AMES

R.

HARRIS

Cornell University Press ITHACA AND LONDON

Copyright© 1999 by Cornell University All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, p2 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850. First published 1999 by Cornell University Press

Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Harris, James R., b. 1964 The Great Urals : regionalism and the evolution of the Soviet system I James R. Harris p. em. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN o-8014-3478-5 (cloth: alk. paper) r. Ural Mountains Region (Russia)-Economic conditions. 2. Regionalism-Russia (Federation)-Urallvlountains Region-History-2oth century. 3· Regional planningRussia (Federation)-Ural Mountains Region-History-2oth century. 4- Soviet Union-Economic policy-r933-1937. I. Title HC340. 12.Z7U7232 1999 3 30.94 7' 43 -dc21 99-10063 Cornell University Press strives to usc environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the fullest extent possible in the publishing of its books. Such materials include vegetablebased, low-VOC inks and acid-free papers that are recycled, totally chlorine-free, or partly composed of nonwood fibers. Books that bear the logo of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) use paper takcu from forests that have been inspected and certified as meeting the highest standards for environmental and social responsibility. For further information, visit our website at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu. Cloth printing

IO

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Regional Interests 2. Regional Influence 3· The Great Urals Plan 4· The Gulag 5· Breakdown 6. The Terror 7· The Origins of the Urals Republic I.

Conclusion Glossary A Note on the Sources Bibliography Index

vii I

9 38 70 I05 I23 I46

I9I 209 2I5 2I7 2I9 23I

v

Acknowledgments

Many people and institutions have contributed to this book. My largest debt is to Sheila Fitzpatrick who has been an unfailing source of incisive criticism and advice. More than any other, she pushed me to look deeper and to think harder. This book, whatever its failings, has benefited immeasurably from her assistance. Several others also deserve special acknowledgment. Gennadii Shaposhnikov, a historian from Ekaterinburg, gave generously of his immense knowledge of the oblast' archives. Lynne Viola shared her materials, her contacts, and her ideas and always had the time to meet and talk. Terry Martin was a patient listener who, when I allowed him to get a word in, contributed enormously to my knowledge of Soviet politics in the 1920s and 1930s. And conversations with Arch Getty have always given me new energy and inspiration. I am grateful to a large group of scholars who have given me helpful comments on all or part of the manuscript, especially Daniil Aleksandrov, Bill Chase, R. W. Davies, Sarah Davies, Jonathan Harris, Richard Hellie, Yoshiko Herrera, David Hoffmann, Peter Holquist, Kristin Hunter, Oleg Khlevniuk, Alexei Kilin, Stephen Kotkin, Hiroaki Kuromiya, Lars Lih, Roberta Manning, Jane Ormrod, Gabor Rittersporn, Peter Solomon, Peter Stavrakis, Kathryn Stoner-Weiss, Ronald Suny, and Nancy Wingfield. I would also like to thank Cornell University Press and John Ackerman, Joel Ray, and Teresa Jesionowski. The material and financial support of several institutions made this work possible: the Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies, the MacArthur Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Vll

vm

I Acknowledgments

Chapter 4 appeared in a somewhat different version in Russian Review. I am grateful to the editors for their permission to republish this material. Finally I would like to thank my parents. They have helped me in countless ways and without hesitation. It is to them that I dedicate this book. ]AMES

University of Leeds

R.

HARRIS

The Great Urals

eKiev

~

1