Constructing Communism: Examining How Soviet Russia Leveraged Architecture to Spread Ideology and Authority.
State power is the ability of a government or state to exercise its authority over its citizens and territory. It is expressed through Soviet architecture in a variety of ways. Soviet architecture typically features large and imposing buildings, such as government offices, public squares, and monuments, that demonstrate the strength of the state. The architecture of the Soviet Union was also used to create an image of the Soviet Union as a strong and progressive superpower at the time. The use of bold and imposing designs, such as those found in the Stalinist style, were intended to demonstrate the power of the state and to create an atmosphere of fear and awe. Soviet architecture was also used to glorify the accomplishments of the state and to celebrate the ideals of communism.
The history of Communist Russia is intrinsically linked to its architecture. During the Soviet era, the state used architecture as a tool to spread its ideology and demonstrate its power as a state and power over its people. The Soviets believed architecture to have a transformative effect that transformed the way of life (Humphrey, 2005). From public squares and monumental buildings to housing projects and industrial complexes, the architecture of Communist Russia embodied the ideology of the socialist state and provided a powerful visual representation of its authority.
The most prominent examples of Soviet architecture were the public squares and monumental buildings that were constructed throughout the country. These grandiose structures were meant to symbolize the power and strength of the Soviet Union and its ideals. The most famous of these is the Red Square in Moscow, a grand public plaza which was used for military parades and official ceremonies. (GILL, 2005). The Red Square was a site of political and cultural celebration, hosting a number of parades, festivals, and other events. During the 1930s and 1940s, it was the site of the annual May Day Parade, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people from all over the Soviet Union. It was also the location of the famous military parade of 1945, which celebrated the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in World War II. The parade included a variety of military vehicles and equipment, as well as a re-enactment of the storming of the Reichstag.(Rouhier-Willoughby, 2010). This ensured the Red Square remained at the centre of the soviet state to enforce the ideals of unitity which reinforced its power through the people and strength as a state.
In addition to providing a symbol of Soviet strength, the Red Square was also the centre of Soviet culture and leisure. During the 1950s, it was the site of the first Moscow Film Festival. Hundreds of films were screened on the square, with the largest screen in the world being erected in the centre of the square. During the summer months, the square was a popular destination for people to take in the sights and sounds of the city. It was also the location for a variety of concerts and performances. This caused the square to act as a reminder of the states power despite western media being viewed there.(Kozlov & Gilburd, 2014)
In the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the square went through a period of disrepair and neglect. However, since the 2000s, the square has been renovated and is now a major tourist attraction, with a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a large fountain in the centre. It is now a vibrant and lively place, and is a reminder of the Soviet Union’s legacy (GILL, 2005).
The Lenin Mausoleum, located in the square, was a powerful symbol of the state’s reverence for its leader, while the nearby St. Basil’s Cathedral provided a visual representation of the religious values of the Soviet Union. (Todorov, 1995)
In addition to public squares and monumental buildings, the Soviet Union also used architecture to spread its ideology through its housing projects and industrial complexes. These structures were designed to embody the principles of communism, such as collectivism and communal living. Housing complexes were designed to be utilitarian and efficient, with uniform, monolithic structures and limited interior decoration. Industrial complexes were similarly designed to be efficient and utilitarian, with themes of standardization and minimal decoration. (Beyer, 2012)
The apartments in these housing projects were meant to be small and functional, in stark contrast to the lavish lifestyle of the bourgeoisie. These buildings often featured long corridors, uniform windows, and identical doors, representing the state’s control over its citizens and the lack of individual expression. Industrial complexes, such as factories and power plants, were also constructed with a utilitarian aesthetic. The utilitarianism of these structures was meant to reflect the importance of collective labour and the power of the state over other regimes. (Andrusz, 1984)
The architecture of housing projects in Soviet Russia also played a role in social engineering. The state wanted to encourage socialist ideals and discourage individualism. To this end, the buildings were designed to foster a sense of communal living. This was reflected in the design of the units, which were often small and cramped. There was also an emphasis on shared communal spaces, such as kitchens and laundries. (Morton, 1980). The idea was that by living in close quarters and sharing resources, people would be more likely to embrace socialism. Housing projects in Soviet Russia were also used to showcase the country’s economic progress. The buildings were often large and impressive, with tall facades and impressive lobbies.(Gurley, 2001). This was meant to demonstrate the country’s economic power and technological prowess. The buildings were also often decorated with symbols of the Soviet Union, such as red stars, hammer and sickles, and other communist imagery. Therefore, the architecture of housing projects in Soviet Russia also reflected the state’s ideology. The buildings were often decorated with propaganda slogans and murals, and the designs were often simple and utilitarian. This was meant to reflect the state’s emphasis on austerity and efficiency. The buildings were also often decorated with imagery of industrialization to convey imagery of progress and economic strength through unity.(Gurley, 2001). Soviet Russia needed to express its power through design in order to demonstrate its strength and technological prowess to the rest of the world. By constructing impressive and symbolic buildings, the state was able to express its economic power and its ability to control the physical space of its citizens which is a way to enforce the states power over its citizens. The architecture of the housing projects was also a way for the state to monitor its citizens, as the buildings were often placed in strategic locations to control the flow of people and create choke points or wide open spaces which aided with identification. If one controls the land, they control the people.
Furthermore, urban planning played a significant role in Soviet Russia, providing a platform for the government to control the people and direct the future of the country. The Soviet Union’s urban planning was heavily guided by the principles of Marxism-Leninism, which provided a framework for the government to shape the nation’s development. These principles emphasized the centralized control of resources and the promotion of socialist values. The Soviet government used urban planning to achieve its goals, such as increased industrialization, increased housing, and improved public services.(Conterio, 2022)
The government established the State Planning Committee to plan and control the development of urban areas in Soviet Russia. Gosplan was responsible for developing and implementing detailed plans for the construction of factories, housing, road systems, and other infrastructure. These plans were implemented in order to attract investment and promote economic growth. The Soviet government also used urban planning to promote socialist values, such as collectivism and solidarity(Conterio, 2022). For example, the government used urban planning to create residential areas known as kommunalki, which were designed to promote collective living and solidarity among citizens(Messana, 2016). Urban planning was also used to control the movements and activities of citizens through restriction of urban development and enforcing limitations on the freedom of citizens. For example, the government used zoning laws to limit the size and density of urban areas and to control the construction of factories and other structures(Andrusz, 1990).
Another iconic example of Soviet architecture is the Moscow Metro. This vast underground network has been described as “a subterranean palimpsest of Soviet power” due to its grandiose design and its use as a tool of propaganda(KETTERING, 2000). Its elaborate stations feature mosaics, sculptures, and other artworks, all of which are meant to glorify the Soviet Union and its values. Through its architecture, the Soviet Union sought to create an atmosphere of communist loyalty, one that would be reinforced by daily visual reminders of the state’s power over the natural world, forging vast looming structures denoting the states power.(Jenks, 2000)
The power of Soviet architecture can also be seen in its use of symbolism. Many of the structures built during the Soviet era were designed to evoke certain ideas and values. For example, the Palace of Soviets was designed to symbolize the Soviet Union’s strength and power, (Hoisington, 2003), essentially, the Palace acquired a mythical significance for the soviet people as it had been transformed into a symbol of soviet identity and strength through its design and cultural significance.
Similarly, the Seven Sisters are a series of seven skyscrapers located in Moscow, Russia. Built in the years between 1947 and 1953, they are a powerful symbol of the Soviet Union’s political and economic strength during the Cold War era. Constructed in the Stalinist style of architecture, these imposing structures were designed to convey a message of strength and grandeur to the world. The Seven Sisters were used to demonstrate the Soviet Union’s power and influence, both domestically and internationally. (Tugarinova, 2016) . The sheer size of the buildings was meant to intimidate and impress, while the traditional Russian motifs used in their design were meant to evoke a sense of national pride. The Sisters were also built to show the strength of the Soviet economy and their ability to construct such impressive monuments.
Furthermore, the Seven Sisters were designed to represent the seven republics of the Soviet Union. The use of symbolism in architecture can be seen as a way of reinforcing the Soviet Union’s ideology, as the structures serve as constant reminders of the values the state held dear (Borushkina, 2022). The Soviet Union also used architecture to support its ideology in more subtle ways. For example, the use of monumentalism, a style of architecture characterized by large, imposing structures, was a common feature of Soviet architecture. This was seen as a way to awe and inspire citizens, as well as to demonstrate the power of the state(Pynnöniemi, 2006).
Similarly, the use of open and airy spaces was a way to suggest that the Soviet Union was a “breathing space” for its citizens. Through its architecture, the Soviet Union sought to create an environment that would instill loyalty and devotion to the state. The legacy of Soviet architecture is still visible today. Though the Soviet Union is no longer in existence, many of its structures remain, and some of them are now regarded as landmarks which bring in vast amounts of tourism today. Through their architecture, the Soviet Union sought to create a lasting legacy of its might and strength, one that still resonates today. The Sisters demonstrate the power of the state to shape and construct monuments to its own power, and to use architecture as a tool for expressing its power and influence over the world and its people.(Pynnöniemi, 2006)
In conclusion, the architecture of Soviet Russia was a powerful tool in the state’s efforts to promote communism and spread its authority. By leveraging utilitarian architecture to promote communal living, efficiency, and economic power, the Soviet Union was able to create a sense of unity and conformity among citizens. This was further reinforced by the state’s use of monumental buildings and grand public spaces, which were designed to showcase the power and grandeur of the Soviet Union. Through its architecture, the state sought to create an environment which would support its communist ideology and reinforce its authority. As a result, Soviet architecture became an integral part of the state’s efforts to construct a new society and an expression of its power and influence.