Little Octobrists / Oktyabryata
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When a child turned seven and entered primary school, they would join his first youth organization. The title “Octobrist” (Russian: Oktyabryata; singular, Russian: Oktyabryonok) derived from the name of October Revolution which was the most commonly used term for the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. (This was because in 1917 there was also the February Revolution). The Little Octobrists were a Soviet youth organization for children ages 7–9. The term first appeared in 1923–1924 and referred to children born in 1917, the year of the October Revolution.
The Little Octobrists were the youngest age group in the Soviet Pioneer Movement. They were a precursor group for the Young Pioneers (ages 10–14) and the Komsomol (ages 15–28). The Young Pioneers were similar to the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. The Little Octobrists were closely associated with the Komsomol. The goal of Soviet propaganda was to create a New Soviet man. Schools and Communist youth organizations were used to indoctrinate the next generation into the "collective way of life". Little Octobrists were organized in groups each representing one school grade level. The group was divided into subgroups called little stars (Russian: zvyozdochki), of five children each. Each group of Little Octobrists was under the leadership of one Young Pioneer from the Young Pioneer detachment.
Oktyabryata are not to be confused with the The Union of October 17 (" Octobrists "), the moderate right-wing political party of large landowners, business circles and officials in Russia that existed in 1905-1917. The party represented the right wing of Russian liberalism , which held moderate constitutional and anti-revolutionary views. The name of the party goes back to the Manifesto issued by Nicholas II on October 17 (30), 1905.
A Little Octobrist (oktyabryonok) received an honorary badge shaped as a five-pointed red star and featuring Vladimir Lenin as a child. The symbol of the Octobrists was attached to the school uniform with a pin. Corrugated red rays frame the portrait of V.I. Lenin at the age of four. Based on a painting by the artist Parkhomenko, created from a childhood photograph of the leader of the world proletariat.
Lapel pins were used to promote group loyalties. While many znachki (lapel pins) are miniature pieces of Soviet propaganda, the form is older than the 1917 revolution. Znachki were an important branding tool for the young Soviet Union, helping create a sense of collective national identity.
Ideology in the Soviet Union permeated everything - education, upbringing, culture, life. The correct way of life, moral character and universal human qualities were instilled from childhood: during study, subbotniks, rest. The priorities were such values as equality, social justice.
The most powerful ideological apparatus worked flawlessly. The party nurtured its replacement by the formation of personality from primary school age - everyone strove to become worthy citizens of the country: first the Octobrists, then the pioneers, they were followed by advanced youth, whose life was shown only from an attractive side. And this is how more than one generation was brought up.
In the first grade, the child immediately fell into the number of Oktyabryata. Moreover, the entry took place necessarily in a solemn form: on a special "line" the guys were built and announced that they were worthy of being the successors of the ideas of the October Revolution. The Octobrists united in groups already in the first grade began to compete among themselves in terms of indicators in studies and socially useful activities. The offender was given a public censure - after all, the title of October obligated to behave only positively.
Octobrists were usually divided into groups and paired with older children aged 14-16. Octobrists had to study well at school, exhibit exemplary behavior, respect adults and seniors, and in general be clean and tidy. Pupils in one group should always act friendly toward each other, organize common activities, sing, paint and enjoy life.
The Octoberites continued their acquaintance with grandfather Lenin, which had begun in kindergarten. Grandfather Lenin (who does not remember will not understand) is such a semi-mythical character in numerous stories and poems. As a child, he was an exceptionally truthful, courageous and fair child. And when he grew up, he began to take care of poor people, children, and was a model of selflessness and simplicity.
The birthday of the "leader of the world proletariat" Vladimir Ulyanov (Lenin) on April 22 in the Soviet Union was considered a holiday. Usually, it was timed to coincide with the so-called Lenin subbotnik - when all residents of the country were forced to unpaid labor, and then announced in the media about how much money the state earned using free labor.
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