Encyclopedia of the Soviet era · 1922–1991
Born in the USSR
The history, culture and daily life of the Soviet Union — verified facts gathered in one place. In Russian and English.
First way in · by time
Timeline of the era
From revolution to dissolution — nine turning points.
Second way in · by topic
Topics
Six broad areas of Soviet life.
Power & Politics
The Party, the state, its leaders, repression and foreign policy.
02Economy
Five-year plans, industrialization, shortages and the planned system.
03Society & Daily Life
Housing, education, medicine, work, fashion and leisure.
04Culture & Arts
Cinema, music, literature, architecture and censorship.
05Science & Space
The space programme, the atomic project and big science.
06Military & Defense
The Great Patriotic War, the Cold War and the defence industry.
07People
Cosmonauts, scientists, leaders, engineers and artists — the lives of the people who shaped the era.
Latest materials
Read now
Lev Landau: Why Quantum Liquids Won the 1962 Nobel Prize
Why did Lev Landau win the 1962 Nobel Prize? A clear guide to liquid helium, superfluidity, quasiparticles and the documents behind his scientific recognition.
The 1965 Kosygin Reform: Planning, Profit and Enterprise Funds
How did the 1965 Kosygin reform change enterprise incentives? Explore profit, sales, three enterprise funds and the limits of autonomy within Soviet planning.
The 1977 Soviet Constitution: Rights, Republics and Article 6
Explore the 1977 Soviet Constitution, its social rights, the CPSU’s role and the republics. Learn how the original wording differed from the 1990 amendments.
Science & Space
First into space
The space race defined the era — events that reshaped the 20th century.
About
Facts you can trust
Every entry rests on verifiable sources. Where historians disagree, we show the different positions rather than a single verdict.