The history of the pioneer organization: the year of education, attributes, anthem, rewards. All-Union Pioneer Organization named after VI Lenin

Today, the history of the USSR is beginning to evoke a growing interest. Someone is trying to find in it negative aspects, someone is positive. In this article we are talking about the history of the pioneer organization, which in our time raises heated discussions. Especially when there are questions, than to occupy children or why the present generation has grown so irresponsible. About how this organization was useful or harmful, there will be no question of going, these conclusions must be made for oneself.

The origins of the pioneer movement

Surprisingly, the roots of this seemingly purely communist movement go to scouting. Few people know that by 1917, many children's scout associations had been formed in Russia. In general, this organization had about 50 thousand participants. On the eve of the Civil War, Scouts provided various social assistance, organized child militia detachments, and arranged searches for homeless children.

When the Soviet power came to power, the Scout movement began to disintegrate in directions depending on the location. For example, associations of the "Forest Brothers" appeared in Kazan and Petrograd, and Moscow society was built on the principles of Baden-Powell. There was also a current of "Yukism", that is, "young communists". They tried to unite the communist ideology with the principles of scouting. The founder of the movement was the party functionary Vera Bonch-Bruevich. But in 1919 at the congress of the RCYU they decided to dissolve all scouting units.

Proposal Krupskaya

From this moment the history of the pioneer organization begins as it was remembered. So, after the prohibition of scouting units, the lack of organizations for working with children was acutely felt. The first idea was formulated by NK Krupskaya, who in November 1921 delivered a report called "On Boy Scouts." Soon this speech was published in the form of a small brochure, which stated that it is necessary to create in the shortest possible time a children's organization that would be "Scout in form and communist in content."

At first the leaders of the Komsomol, negatively perceiving the scouting, were wary of this proposal. After all, joining the ranks of such an organization, the children, in fact, preserved the tradition established under tsarism, which could not but cause concern. However, everything changed when, after another speech by Krupskaya, a special commission was formed. On it, I. Zhukov presented his report, which was positively evaluated by the members of the Bureau. Immediately thereafter, discussion began on the organizational side of the matter.

At the very beginning of 1922, the commission put forward a proposal to include children, not Komsomol members, in Scout organizations, as was originally suggested. At the same time I. Zhukov proposed to name the new organization "pioneer". The name he borrowed from Seton-Thompson. In addition, the pioneer organization took a lot from scouting. For example, the game form of training, the organization of detachments, the management of children with the help of counselors, elements of symbols, campfire camps. Even the motto "Be ready!" Is not original.

The first groups

On February 2, 1922, the next step was taken to develop the history of the pioneer organization. It was on this day that letters were sent from the Central Committee bureau to the regional centers about the establishment of a children's group under the Young Communist League cell. As early as February 4, a special bureau was created, which included Valery Zorin, a former scoutmaster. It was on February 12 that he organized the first children's group in one of the Zamoskvorechye orphanages. The detachment was called "Young Scouts", but it did not last long. Soon Zorin undertook the organization of children at the plant "Kauchuk".

In parallel with Zorin, Mikhail Stremyakov, another scoutmaster, started working in the same direction. He organized groups in a school of factory apprenticeship at the former printing house of Mashistov. Usually it is this children's group that is called the first pioneer detachment. In the same place in April, the "Drum", the first pioneer magazine, and then "Pionerskaya Pravda" begins to appear.

On March 2, a bureau of children's groups was set up, whose task was to develop a charter. It was considered and adopted at the Second All-Russian Conference of the Komsomol on May 19. The day of the pioneer organization - this is how this date will be later named. The conference not only agreed on the charter, but also decided to start the widespread distribution of pioneer organizations. After that, a special office for working with children was created, which included seven people. Among them were I. Zhukov, as well as Krupskaya, as an observer from the party, and Lunacharsky as an observer from the government.

Ubiquitous distribution and choice of name

From this moment, pioneer detachments throughout the country begin to form actively. Simultaneously, the pioneer symbolism spreads and is created. It was in 1922 that the text of one of the most famous pioneer songs was composed: "Vzheshayte bonfires, blue nights." In Petrograd, the first children's group appeared only on December 3. The organizer of it was Komsomol member Sergei Margo. The first four pioneer detachments were created from Russian groups of young scouts.

In October, at the next congress of the RCYU, a decision was made to unite all the pioneer detachments into a single organization, which was named "Young Pioneers of the Spartacus". On the day of Lenin's death, the organizations were given the name of the leader. In 1926 a special decree was issued, which indicated the new name of the children's association, which survived until the last days of its existence. It sounded like "All-Union Pioneer Organization. Of VI Lenin. "

Pioneers during WWII

The year of the foundation of the pioneer organization was the year of the beginning of a new era in the life of many children. After 1922, to become a pioneer became as honorable as being a member of the Komsomol. Yes, and get into the Komsomol, without being a pioneer, later it became almost impossible.

Gradually, the pioneer organization became inseparable from the social life of the country. It is not surprising that even during the terrible misfortune that befell the entire Soviet Union, she did not stand aside.

Since the announcement of the beginning of the war, the pioneers have tried in every way not to lag behind adults and to help fight the enemy not only in the rear, but also at the front. Many children joined the underground and partisan detachments. The Pioneers became young men on warships, scouts, helped hide the wounded from enemy soldiers, and brought provisions to guerrillas hiding in the forests. Children were rarely taken seriously, so it was easier for them to get through the defensive detachments or find out secret information.

However, the combat mission was not always successful for children. Thus, four children, Zina, Portnov, Lenya Golikov, Valya Kotikov and Marat Kazey, were awarded posthumously the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

After the end of the war, all the names of the deceased children were inscribed on the official list of those who received the title of pioneer heroes.

The post-war stage

The history of the pioneer organization in the postwar period is also difficult, like the history of the whole country. It was necessary to restore the destroyed, and even children's help was of great importance here. Urban children collected scrap metal and waste paper, planted green plantings. The rural pioneer detachments faced a more difficult task: they raised small domestic animals, for example, birds and rabbits. The best of the small toilers were awarded various orders. Children also took part in harvesting, went to work at the plant. In general, everywhere where there were not enough hands, took on work of pioneers. A huge number of healthy men died in the war, so there was no way to refuse any help. Especially since children, conscious of the need, worked on an equal basis with adults, trying not to concede anything to anything.

Now this seems inhuman, but at that time the pioneers themselves wanted to help. No one forced children to work. Many themselves took up hard work.

Further years

In 1953, Soviet pioneers were almost renamed. After Stalin's death, many suggested adding the name of the organization. And if earlier the All-Union Pioneer Organization was only named after Lenin, now proposals were added to add the newly deceased leader. However, after the exposure of Stalin's cult of personality, this question was completely exhausted, and the organization was never renamed.

Since 1955, a tradition has appeared to introduce the names of outstanding children into a special book of honor. In 1958, the structure of the organization underwent a slight change. Since this year, three levels of development have been introduced, on each of which the child received a special badge. To reach the next stage, the pioneer had to deal with a special individual program. At the same time, all pioneering work was combined into a plan designed for two years, which was aimed at helping the scourge in the implementation of their seven-year plan.

In 1962, the image of the pioneer badge was changed - the profile of Lenin was added to it. This was a sign that the state recognizes the great merits of the pioneer organization. The event was caused by the award of the Order of Lenin to the All-Union Pioneer Organization for its success in the socialist education of adolescents. About ten years later, in 1972, the children's organization was re-awarded the same high award.

By this time in the pioneers were more than 23 million children throughout the Soviet Union.

Termination of existence

The pioneer organization underwent the first changes during the period of perestroika and the beginning of liberal reforms. At this time, I. N. Nikitin, chairman of the Central Union of the Pioneer Organization, suggested making changes to the pioneer structure with a view to its democratization. And already on October 1, 1990, at the 10th All-Union Pioneer Meeting, which was held in Artek, the children's organization was renamed into the SPO-FDO (Union of Pioneer Organizations - Federation of Children's Organizations). The chairman of the new institution was EE Chepurnykh. However, he could not independently make changes and carry out the reorganization of the STR-FDE. The fact is that he was still a member of the Central Committee of the Komsomol. Therefore, no radical changes were made.

After the prohibition of the CPSU, proclaimed in September 1991, an extraordinary congress of the Komsomol passed, on which it was announced that the historical role of the Komsomol was exhausted, the Komsomol organization was dissolved, and the All-Union Pioneer Organization also ceased to exist. From that day on May 19, the day of the pioneer organization, was no longer considered a holiday. There were fundamental changes in the country, which led to the disintegration of many state institutions.

After the final collapse of the USSR, the property of the pioneer organization was withdrawn. All Palaces of Pioneers in the region were redesigned and became the "Houses of Children and Youth Creativity". Most of the pioneer camps were in the hands of private traders, who turned them into boarding houses and tourist centers. Only a small part of them left the status of a children's health camp.

What did the pioneers do?

The activity of the pioneer organization has always been aimed at helping the Komsomol and adults. But it was not always peaceful. In the early 30s, the pioneers decided to engage the Soviet authorities in their struggle against the opponents. It was positioned as a civic duty of every person faithful to the Soviets, including children. Pavlik Morozov was chosen as an example for all pioneers. According to the official version, he informed the authorities of his father, who helped the kulaks, and then spoke against him in court. Pavlik was killed by his father for this.

After this tense time, the fight against anti-Sovietism took an ideological and propagandistic character.

However, the pioneers engaged not only in ideological education. Also in their duties at different times was:

• Collection of scrap metal and waste paper.
• Participation in the show and song.
• Participation in the Timur movement.
• Participation in the All-Union sports competitions "Leather Ball", "Golden Puck".
• Carrying out a sports and military "Zarnitsa".
• Team games with the ball "Pionerball" and "Sniper".
• Included in the ranks of young assistants to traffic inspectors, as well as in youth voluntary fire brigades.
• Were young naturalists.
• They organized the "Green Patrol" (they were engaged in the protection of forests), the "Blue Patrol" (they were engaged in the protection of water resources).
• Classes in sports sections and circles.
• Growing service dogs and horses.

Order of admission

Pioneers accepted children from 9 to 14 years. Officially, this happened on a voluntary basis. The reception was carried out individually, by voting on the general council of the pioneer detachment. Entering the organization on the line brought the oath of the pioneer, then he was tied with a red tie and handed a pioneer badge. Usually the ceremony was held in places of historical and revolutionary memory during the communist holidays. For example, the monuments to Lenin on April 22.

The solemn promise, or oath of the pioneer, had a regulated text that was memorized by those who enter by heart. During the existence of the organization, edits to this vow were made only a few times and were always agreed with the party. While taking the oath, the pioneer called his name and swore, joining the ranks of the pioneer organization, "in the face of his comrades" to love his Motherland, live by the behests of Lenin and observe the laws of the pioneer organization.

Charter

The charter of the pioneer organization, also the law of the pioneers, was to be obeyed without question. It was not particularly long and it was easy to learn by heart. According to the charter, the pioneer was supposed to:

• To be devoted to communism, the Party and the Motherland.
• Preparing to enter the Komsomol.
• Equal to the heroes of labor and struggle.
• Honor the dead fighters and be ready to become the defender of the Motherland.
• Be the best in work, sports and study.
• To be a faithful and honest comrade who always protects the truth.
• To be a leader and comrade October.

Anthem

The hymn of the pioneer organization was the "March of Young Pioneers". This Soviet song was written especially for the pioneers in 1922. The authors of the march were the poet Alexander Zharov and pianist Sergey Kaidan-Deshkin. Some lines from this song are familiar even to those who never acted as pioneers. For example, "Light up the bonfires, blue nights. We are pioneers - children of the workers! "

In May 1922, after Krupskaya's speech at the meeting of the Central Committee, Zharov was given the task: to come up with a song in two weeks that could become the anthem of a new children's organization. Zharov asked for advice to D. Furmanov, who advised him to take as a basis some existing composition. At the same time, the opera "Faust" was performed in the Bolshoi Theater. At the play, Zharov heard the "March of the Soldiers", which became the basis of the revolutionary work.

Symbolism

Like any ideological organization, this one also had its own attributes. Symbols of the pioneer organization were called to cause respect, as well as those who are in it. These included:

• Pioneer tie - personified a part of the pioneer banner and was an obligatory part of the form. The three ends of the tie meant a strong connection of 3 generations, that is, the Communists, then the Komsomol members, and then the pioneers. This subject was tied up with a special knot. The representatives of the squad on the red tie had a yellow mark. In the pre-war period, often the ends of the tie were fixed with a special clamp. It was executed in the form of a fire, five logs of which were designated by five continents, and three tongues of flame - the third International. The disappearance of the clamp was due, first, to the dissolution of the Comintern, and secondly, to the fact that one of the heads of the Central Committee saw in it the similarity with Nazi symbols.
• The badge was also a mandatory symbol of pioneer organizations in the school. The form and type of the badge have been described in the special Regulations on Children's Organizations. For the entire history of the institution, they have changed several times.
• Pioneer banner - was a canvas of red color with a pioneer sign and motto. The banners were not only among the pioneer detachments, but also in the school classes.
• Flag flag - personified the honor and unity of the guys, served to indicate belonging to some pioneer team. With this banner children went out on parades, rulers, fees, excursions, hikes and even labor matters. Nes canvas flag, which was for the leader in front of the drummer and the bugler.
• Horn - without this attribute it is impossible to imagine a pioneer life. This musical instrument served to provide various signals. The position of the bugler was very honorable, the most responsible and trusted children were assigned to her. He immediately followed the flag.
• Drum - the second most important musical instrument of the pioneers. It was necessary during marches, marches and parades. The drummer played a fraction and march, and also helped to perform the basic drill techniques.

Pioneer organization awards

Pioneers could be awarded the following insignia:

• "Million of the Motherland" - was awarded for success in the collection of scrap metal.
• "Young Pathfinder" - issued to those who could navigate the terrain.
• In addition, there were many medals of various award badges for winning various sporting events.

Pioneers of the USSR often received distinctions and awards common to all Soviet people, for example, the Order of the Red Banner. Unfortunately, in wartime, many such medals were awarded to the children posthumously.