Heroes of the Revolution and Defense of Tsaritsyn in 1917–1918 According to the Stalingrad Istpart

Abstract

Introduction. The subject of the study is the activity of the Stalingrad Institute for the preparation of collective photographs (“vignettes”) of the heroes of the revolution of 1917 and the defense of Tsaritsyn in 1918. Methods. The methods of source studies, archeography, analysis and prosopography were used. Observations and conclusions. In 1932, the Stalingrad “five”, the Tsaritsyn (Stalingrad) Historical and Party Commissions direct successor, as the Lower Volga Region Historical and Party Commission division, prepared lists for the placement of participants in the revolutionary events and the defense of Tsaritsyn in 1917–1918 on a collective photograph (“vignette”) for the City Defense Museum. The place in the photo depended on the activity and the merits of the veteran of the events of those years. The direct executor was the deputy manager of the Lower Volga Archive Department, secretary of the “five” T.M. Seregin. Being a veteran of the revolutionary movement, the archivist was able to recall and include in the list many of his comrades-in-arms with a mention of their positions and duties. This list contains the names and surnames of 99 real leaders of the revolutionary movement in Tsaritsyn. The disgraced by that time S.K. Minin and his associates are placed here. Moreover, I.V. Stalin is mentioned under No. 24. Then the list underwent thorough editorial work and was reduced to 34, and then to 31 people. In this version, I.V. Stalin appeared in the first place, and then his closest associates were mentioned. S.M. Minin and some members of his team disappeared from the list. Prosopographic analysis shows that the submitted project was unimplemented, since the Tsaritsyn revolutionaries mentioned in the list, including T.M. Seregin, disappeared during the era of the Great Terror. The lists are of great interest to researchers, as they allow them to bring back from oblivion real active participants in the Revolutionary Events and the Defense of Tsaritsyn in 1917–1918.