Stalin committed the state’s ideology to Marxism–Leninism (which he created) and constructed a command economy which led to a period of rapid industrialization and collectivization. The Soviet Union placed great importance on shaping the minds of the young. Children were seen as the “builders of communism” — the future of the socialist project. The Young Pioneers (ages 9–14) wore red scarves and learned about discipline, collective work, and loyalty to Lenin.
Schools emphasized respect for teachers, love for the motherland, and pride in the Soviet system. Textbooks often highlighted historical victories, the achievements of Soviet heroes, and the superiority of socialism over capitalism. Despite the ideological control, childhood in the USSR was not joyless. Children played in courtyards, read adventure stories, watched cartoons like Nu, Pogodi! (a Soviet classic), and went to summer camps organized by the state — especially the famous Artek Camp in Crimea.
