Archival Evidence of Change: Socio-economic realities of the Rear Region in 1941–1945

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the profound socio-economic transformations that transpired within the Akmolinsk region during the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union. Drawing primarily on archival documents from the State Archive of Astana city, the study employs historical research methodology, including content analysis, comparative-historical analysis, and descriptive methods. The research reveals that the war acted as a significant catalyst for change, leading to a fundamental restructuring of the regional economy, marked by rapid industrialization, particularly in military-oriented sectors. Akmolinsk region became a vital evacuation center, receiving numerous industrial enterprises and a substantial influx of people, which reshaped its demographic and social fabric and laid the groundwork for its post-war industrial base. The study details the mobilization of the local population for the war effort, including the formation of military divisions and significant contributions to defense funds and material aid. Concurrently, the war imposed severe hardships on the civilian population, characterized by deteriorating labor conditions, the extensive use of female and child labor, and shortages of food and housing, reflecting the Soviet government’s stringent control and exploitation of resources. Despite legislative measures aimed at regulating labor, particularly for adolescents, evidence suggests inconsistencies in their local implementation. The research concludes that the war left an indelible mark on Akmolinsk’s history, fundamentally altering its socio-economic landscape and setting a new trajectory for its development, while also underscoring the complex realities and regional specificities of life on the home front.