Stalin's Great Retreat

What was the Great Retreat?

The Great Retreat was a policy introduced by Stalin in the USSR which promoted traditional family values.

When was the Great Retreat?

The Great Retreat occurred during the 1930s.

Why did Stalin introduce the Great Retreat?

The Great Retreat of the 1930s was introduced because due to 4 main reasons:

• ❖ It was a reaction to the perceived failures of the government's policies on the family and women of the 1920s.
• ❖ The birth rate had dropped.
• ❖ Family breakdown had increased causing social problems.
• ❖ It was felt that there was a breakdown in discipline in education and of the youth.

How did the Great Retreat affect families?

There were 5 key changes that affected family life because of the Great Retreat:

• ❖ Parents could be fined if their child was in trouble with the authorities.
• ❖ Divorce was discouraged by increasing the cost from 4 to 50 roubles and forcing couples to attend court.
• ❖ Divorced fathers had to pay child maintenance. If they did not pay they could be jailed for up to two years.
• ❖ Male homosexuality was made illegal.
• ❖ Abortion was made illegal to encourage larger families.

How did the Great Retreat affect education?

In the Great Retreat, Stalin re-introduced exams, homework, traditional teaching methods and subjects, and textbooks set by the government. School became much more strict as tighter discipline was re-introduced.

What was the impact of the Great Retreat?

The Great Retreat had 3 main effects:

• ❖ It had a negative effect on women. It promoted traditional family values which restricted many of the new opportunities women had in the 1920s.
• ❖ The birth rate increased temporarily.
• ❖ The divorce rate decreased.