Socio-economic conditions and political attitudes of Stalingrad workers in the late 1920s – early 1930s

This article analyzes the socio-economic conditions and political attitudes of Stalingrad workers in the late 1920s – early 1930s. Drawing on unpublished documents from the OGPU and party agencies, the author reconstructs relations between the authorities and workers during the period of forced industrialization. The study examines issues of labor contracting, workforce turnover, labor discipline, and the fulfillment of production plans. It shows that the key factors behind worker discontent were delayed wages, low pay, housing shortages, and food deficits. Special attention is paid to the control me­chanisms employed by the OGPU and party cells to prevent collective protests. The author concludes that, despite acute social problems, no mass protest actions occurred in Stalingrad due to a combination of ideological indoctrination, repressive measures, and the redirection of discontent into socialist competition and shock work.