EXPLANATION OF THE NAZI POLICY REGARDING THE PEASANTRY OF THE REICH COMMISSIARATE «UKRAINE» IN PERIODICALS OF THE OCCUPATION PERIOD (1941–1944)

Abstract

The article highlights the agrarian policy of the Nazis, as well as the evolution of the attitude of the peasantry to the new order, depending on the activities of the German occupation apparatus in the periodicals of the occupation authorities. The publication analyzed about 20 titles of periodicals, including «Ukrainian Slovo» (Zhytomyr), «New Ukrainian Word» (Kyiv), «Voice of Volyn» (Zhytomyr), «Ukrainian Voice» (Lutsk), «Ukrainian Dumka» (Mykolaiv), «Volyn. Magazine for Volyn» (Rivne), «Ukrainian word. Illustrated Agricultural Edition» (Kyiv), «Ukrainian Farmer: Illustrated Agricultural Magazine» (Rivne) and others. It was found that the promulgation of the law by the Minister of the Occupied Eastern Territories A. Rosenberg on the new land system was accompanied by active propaganda through the German press. In order to maintain the necessary mood among the population of the occupied territories, the occupation administration constantly published in newspapers information about the activity of agricultural workers, about the good harvests that Ukrainian peasants receive in collective farms, about the creation of various organizations and circles that helped Ukrainian peasants to raise their cultural and professional level. Reports on the creation of unions and community farms, rewarding villagers for achievements in work, recommendations on pest control and increasing crop yields, as well as providing medical assistance to the rural population are being investigated. The conclusion was formulated that when using the information contained in the orders and appeals to the peasantry published in the occupation press, it is definitely necessary to adhere to a critical analysis, since the German authorities considered periodicals one of the most effective forms of propaganda communication with the Ukrainian population, in particular the peasantry.