The Young Generation against the Regime: Unofficial Political Youth Associations in Ukraine in the 1950s–1960s
The Young Generation against the Regime: Unofficial Political Youth Associations in Ukraine in the 1950s–1960s

Summary/Abstract: In Ukraine, only those youth organizations that were dependent on the power apparatus were usually able to function in a narrow scope. The associations emerging in the years 1950–1960 were already anti-Soviet, but their universality was still limited. After the death of Stalin in Ukraine, the national liberation movement revived, and this contributed to the creation of around 46 associations of mainly youth. Their activity was an expression of opposition against the current regime. However, the authorities used all available means to prevent these associations from criticizing them in the media, through criminal prosecution and various types of social and political repression. The movement of unofficial associations was a reflection of the attitude of young people to the rulers, it was an expression of lack of support for the social situation in the country – dissatisfaction of young people with financial situation, housing, and the subject to a continuous process of Russification.

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