PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND PRIVATE CARS AS FACTORS OF EVERYDAY LIFE OF THE POPULATION OF SOVIET UKRAINE IN 1950s – 1960s (BASED ON THE MATERIALS OF THE FUND COLLECTION OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF UKRAINIAN HISTORY AND ARTICLES OF THE ‘PERETS’ MAGAZINE)

Abstract

The article analyzes the development and disadvantages in the work of urban and intercity public (except railways) transport in Ukrainian SSR during the 1950s–1960s. The aim of the study is to demonstrate and substantiate the causes of the disadvantages of the Soviet administrative-command system and the planned economy in this segment of everyday life of ordinary Ukrainians. Exhibits of the National Museum of Ukrainian History and the satirical and humorous magazine ‘Perets’ became the basic source for the elaboration on the topic. It is possible to trace certain social and everyday tendencies and their genesis in the life of the general population on the articles and caricatures of the ‘Perets’. It is concluded that the operation of urban and interurban public transport in Ukraine during this period was accompanied by a large number of characteristic problems for passengers and permanently did not meet the demand. The process of the emergence of cars in private ownership took place slowly and in conditions of total deficits, which inevitably led to speculation and other negative manifestations inherent in socialism as an economic system. Publication and scientific substantiation of such information are intended disavow nostalgia for the Soviet past to some extent, which some part of Ukrainian society is inclined to do.

Key words: history of everyday life, The National Museum of Ukrainian History, the ‘Perets’ magazine, Ukrainian SSR, public transport, deficit, planned economy, administrative-command system.