Materials of the activity of the Commission on problems of the North as a source on socio-economic status of indigenous ethnic groups of the Soviet Arctic in the 50s of the XX century
English
journal number:
Journal’s Subject Headings:
History of science
About author:
Candidate of Historical Sciences, Institute for Humanities Research and Indigenous Studies of the North, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia [email protected]
Abstract:The article presents the analysis of archival materials relating to the activity of the Commission on the problems of the North created in 1955 under the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, which, in particular, was engaged in the research of the socio-economic conditions of life of the indigenous people of the Soviet Arctic. In this regard, the article shows the main principles worked out by the specialists of academic institutions of the state and, first of all, be the staff of N.N. Miklukho-Maklai Institute of Ethnography according the results of the field research organized with the participation of the Commission in the Northern regions of the Soviet Union. These principles included, in particular, the conclusions about significant miscalculations made by the authorities during the collectivization and forming of settlements, the implementation of crude experiments on the introduction of agricultural activities which are not traditional for the aboriginal ethnos, as well as the organization of trade and the penitentiary system which led to alcoholization and harmed the traditional moral principles of the native population. The article notices the importance of materials of the Commission’s activity in respect of obtaining objective information about the social and economic situation in areas of compact settlement of the aboriginal ethnos of the North and the historical reconstruction of their living conditions.
Key words: indigenous people of the Arctic, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Commission on problems of the North, Institute of Ethnography, scientific research, expeditions, socio-economic situation.
Abstract:The article presents the analysis of archival materials relating to the activity of the Commission on the problems of the North created in 1955 under the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, which, in particular, was engaged in the research of the socio-economic conditions of life of the indigenous people of the Soviet Arctic. In this regard, the article shows the main principles worked out by the specialists of academic institutions of the state and, first of all, be the staff of N.N. Miklukho-Maklai Institute of Ethnography according the results of the field research organized with the participation of the Commission in the Northern regions of the Soviet Union. These principles included, in particular, the conclusions about significant miscalculations made by the authorities during the collectivization and forming of settlements, the implementation of crude experiments on the introduction of agricultural activities which are not traditional for the aboriginal ethnos, as well as the organization of trade and the penitentiary system which led to alcoholization and harmed the traditional moral principles of the native population. The article notices the importance of materials of the Commission’s activity in respect of obtaining objective information about the social and economic situation in areas of compact settlement of the aboriginal ethnos of the North and the historical reconstruction of their living conditions.
Key words: indigenous people of the Arctic, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Commission on problems of the North, Institute of Ethnography, scientific research, expeditions, socio-economic situation.
