On the question of the attitude of the peasantry to the Soviet power in the context of the processes of transformation of the Russian mentality in the 1917-1920-ies (on the example of Mordva)
Introduction: the article presents an analysis of the factors that determine the attitude of the peasantry to the Soviet power in the 1917-1920-ies. among the markers that affect, in our opinion, the change of traditional mental peasant attitudes, October 1917, «military communism», NEP, grain procurement of the second half of the 20-ies of the XX century. The Mordovian peasantry is selected as the object of research distinguished by its traditionalism and commitment to community foundations. Materials and Methods: the source base of the research is presented by the materials of the Central state archive of the Republic of Mordovia. First of all, these are protocols of village gatherings, resolutions, instructions, reports of party and Soviet authorities, reports of law enforcement agencies, etc., which make up the funds of the Ardatov district Committee of the CPSU(b), Mokshaleysky, Tengushevsky and Torbeyevsky volost committees of the CPSU(b). General scientific methods - analysis, synthesis, comparison, as well as special-historical methods - comparativehistorical and problem-chronologicalwere used in the course of the research. In addition, statistical and hermeneutic methods were used. Results: the attitude to the Soviet power on the part of the Mordovian peasantry was characterized in many respects by ambiguity and ambiguity. Initial sympathies for it were caused by the decision of the question of land on an equalizing basis, which responded to the traditional communal views of justice. However, the class approach was not fully accepted. The policy of «war communism» caused a negative attitude in the region, which was smoothed out during the NEP years, but again manifested itself in the period of grain procurement. Peasants were not satisfied with the unilateral nature of state aid, the inability to meet their primary demand, unfair trade and excessive tax pressure. Even in the case of adapting traditional communal mechanisms to the needs of the state, the pressure of the state apparatus prevented the establishment of full trust between the authorities and the peasantry. Discussion and Conclusions: in General, the attitude of the Mordovian village to the new government largely depended on the specific steps of the state in the agricultural sector. Their character determined the fluctuation in loyalty and evaluation of the Councils. The main criteria were economic expediency and compliance with the secular ideal of justice. Despite the rejection of a number of measures of the state, the existence of Soviet power, as a rule, was supported.