«The content of the discussion of the current situation»: First Congress of Siberian Soviets (December, 3-9, 1925)

The transcripts of the First Regional Congress of Soviets of Siberia, held in December 1925, are an important historical source. In 1993, they were prepared for publication and published under the editorship of I.A. Moletotov. This article is devoted to comparing the vision and assessments of economic prospects expressed at the regional, district and district levels of government in Siberia during the period of the New Economic Policy. Information from reference and statistical publications and collections of documents were taken into account during the preparation. A general assessment of the historiographical situation is given, it is emphasized that reasoned generalizations, different concepts and interpretations are presented in the historical literature. The general public of Russia retains a significant interest in the history of the NEP, expressed in the publication of works of a scientific and journalistic nature. Opening the work of the First Regional Congress of Soviets of Siberia, Chairman of the Sibrevkom M.M. Lashevich stressed that lasting peace had been established in the region, that Siberia had been mostly restored and was firmly following the socialist path. The composition of the delegates and the work of the congress are briefly described. It was very successful, the Regional Executive Committee (Sibkray Executive Committee) was elected, headed by G.H. Eikhe, consisting of 81 people, and 27 more became candidates. The Congress renamed Novonikolaevsk to Novosibirsk. For an example of authoritative approaches to agriculture, the documentation of the Tulun District Land Administration for 1926/1927 is given, containing both retrospective data and a detailed description of the prospects. It is concluded that the geographical features of the territory were taken into account in economic planning, and further rationalization of the agricultural sector was seen in the development of emerging economic trends. At this time, unlike the subsequent period of forced collectivization, it was hoped to motivate peasants to increase economic productivity mainly by market methods.

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