The image of Kuibyshev in the US press in 1942

In this article, for the first time in Samara regional studies, a study is undertaken of the place and significance of the city of Kuibyshev in the public opinion of the USSR’ allies. When it had become a reserve capital, Kuibyshev ceased to be the rank regional center of the Soviet Union, and turned into the city which was known and significant all over the world. В данной статье использованы многие уникальные документы США о Куйбышеве времен войны. The authors of this article use many unique documents from the US devoted to Kuibyshev during the war. Кроме того, на их основе проанализированы становление и восприятие образа запасной столицы в американском обществе. In addition, on the basis of such sources, they analyze formation and perception of the image of the reserve capital in American society. The study of the history of Kuibyshev as the second capital in this aspect is important for imagology, local studies, comparative studies. The research reveals how the image of Kuibyshev city was constructed in the conditions of the Second World War, how this perception was changing. The conclusions of the article, as well as the introduction of newly founded historical documents, would allow to deepen and expand this topic in the future.