Oleg Nikolaevich Moskvin papers, 1962-1999

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Summary

Creators:
Moskvin, Oleg Nikolaevich, 1954-
Abstract:
The papers are comprised of writings, correspondence, memoranda, government documents, and printed matter relating to civil liberties and independent labor movements in the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia.
Extent:
10 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes (7.5 Linear Feet)
Language:
Russian
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Oleg Nikolaevich Moskvin papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers consist of correspondence, writings, government documents, photographs and printed matter relating to the development of independent labor groups in late-Soviet Leningrad. Comprised primarily of correspondence between Moskvin and various labor organizers and government officials, the papers illustrate the rise of Nezavisimost', one of the first independent trade unions in the Soviet Union.

The bulk of the collection dates from 1986 through 1992, when Moskvin was active in the rapidly developing workers' movement in Leningrad. In 1986, shortly after joining the labor group Rabochaia initsiativa, Moskin sent a series of reports to Pravda criticizing factory management for misuse of property and the unfair awarding of bonuses. These reports, titled "Vzgliad iz khudozhki," can be found in the Writings series. Moskvin was subsequently fired and successfully filed a number of complaints, petitions, and cases for reinstatement. These documents, which can be found in the Court cases file, show the Soviet court system's evolving relationship with trade unions.

In June 1989, Moskvin and other labor organizers formed the independent trade union Nezavisimost', which emphasized workers' control over wages and factory administration. Moskvin founded his own cell within the union, the Tsentr vzaimopomoshchi rabochikh (Center for Workers' Mutual Aid), documents of which can be found in the Labor movement files. The TsVR agitated on behalf of factory workers across Leningrad who had been fired for political activities.

Moskvin's interest in the use of psychiatry as a tool for political repression is reflected in the Subject file, which includes articles and correspondence regarding psychiatric practices in the Soviet Union. The Subject file also documents Soviet and post-Soviet elections in Leningrad and St. Petersburg, particularly through the lens of GennadiÄ­ Kravchenko, a Rabochaia initsiativa activist elected to the Leningrad Soviet. Newspapers, correspondence, and electoral flyers reflect the multi-party democratic movement in the city.

Related Article

Temkina, Anna A. "The Workers' Movement in Leningrad, 1986-91." Soviet Studies 44 (1992): 209-236. PURL: www.jstor.org/stable/152023

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1954 September 4
Born, Leningrad, Soviet Union
1976
Joined editorial board of the underground journal Demokrat
1976 November 4
Arrested by police for political activity
1977 June 8
Sentenced to psychiatric confinement in Leningrad and Kazan' for "socially dangerous" behavior
1984 March 30
Released from psychiatric confinement
1984 December 3
Began working as a painter at the "Kartonazhnik" factory in Leningrad
1986 July 4
First of repeated firings from "Kartonazhnik" for trade union activities
1988 January 14-February 3
Successful hunger strike for reinstatement at work
1989 June 16
Independent trade union "Nezavisimost'" established
1992 January 16
Final dismissal from "Kartonazhnik"
1992 August 24
Registered as journalist
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2008.
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into seven series: Biographical file, Correspondence, Court cases files, Labor movement documents, Writings, Subject file, and Newspapers

Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Oleg Nikolaevich Moskvin papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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