Discussion
This research examines the process of the militarization of children in Soviet Ukraine during the 1920s–1930s, focusing on its key mechanisms, practices, and forms. Particular attention is devoted to the representation of militarist themes in children’s literature and periodicals, and to their place within leisure activities, rituals, and the culture of mass festivities. The study analyzes a wide range of sources, including children’s magazines and newspapers, methodological materials for the organization of the Pioneer movement, archival records, and oral testimonies, which together provide a multi-dimensional perspective on the shaping of children’s everyday lives under Soviet rule. The research reveals how militarist rhetoric and practices were used to mobilize children for state-led political campaigns such as collectivization, the struggle against so-called “class enemies,” and the acquisition of basic military skills. Moreover, it highlights the connection between the militarization of childhood, the intensification of internal political struggles within the Soviet state, and the military ambitions of the Bolshevik government. By exploring the intersection of politics, culture, and childhood, this study contributes to the understanding of Soviet strategies of socialization and control, as well as to broader debates on the instrumentalization of childhood in totalitarian regimes.
