The Days of Terror
Civilian Life
(1933-1938)

  

No discussion about a nations military can be complete without showing the civilian life of the time. This is because no military exists in a vacuum, it is a product of its times. This section will try to give the reader a glimpse of what life was like during the height of Stalin's Purges. It will feature pictures, history, stories, and other facets of Soviet civilian life during the period between 1933 and 1938. Currently we have several things here, but more will be added as time permits.

 

5 Ruble Note dated 1934

Here you can see a rather ordinary looking 5 ruble note featuring the state seal.

In each of the four boxes along the bottom there is text written in four different languages - clearly showing the multi-ethnic nature of the Soviet Union of those days.

Like many banknotes of the day it has many intricate patterns of differing colors on both its front and back to prevent counterfeiting.

 

  

1 Ruble Note dated 1937

This banknote features a picture of V.I. Lenin on its face.  It is a bit more artistic than its predecessor above, but not as much as the ruble series that would follow over the next few years.

It has the usual multi-color patterns on the back to prevent counterfeiting.

 

Communist Party ID Book

This little booklet was the pathway to power for many otherwise normal citizens. Only those with party membership could expect to advance in the worker's paradise.

 

This Party ID book is dated 1933 and belonged to

Inside of ID Book

 

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Civil and Political Events