Figure 1.-- The image here comes from a rare, recently discovered Soviet propaganda film made after the Soviets had invaded and taken over the government of Latvia (1940-41). The Communists of course seized control of the schools. A play was put on for the children in the school involving a central clown-like figure (perhaps one of the upper-level boys in the school) who represents international communism controlling the entire world.

The Soviet Union after signing a Non-aggression Pact with NAZI Germany (Agustin 1939), invaded and Poland (Sepember 1940). After the fall of France (June 1940), Stalin began the annexatiion of the three Baltic Reopublics (junw=e 1940) The NKVD carried out a brutal campaign to subjecate the Latvian people. Many Latvians were executed and whole families deported to Central Asia. Among these targeted were groups perveived as associated with Latvian national culture, includiung school teachers and university professors. We do not yet have details on the extent to which teachers were arrested and killed or deported. We suspect that this was more cetered on secondary than primary schools, but w do not yet have details. We do not have information on schoolwear during this period. The Soviets had a school uniform, but there probably was not time to fully make the change. The Young Pioneers was brought into the school, but uniforms in this period were not as commonly worn as after the War. Here we see boys wearing the Young Pioneer uniforms for a school play. We have noted that in the Soviet Union that children often wore Young Pioneer uniforms for special occassions, but most children might more commonly just wear the red neckerchief.

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Created: 9:22 PM 2/27/2005
Last updated: 8:17 AM 8/31/2024