nationality

The article examines the changes in the national composition of Saratov province in the first half of the 1920s based on the materials of the All-Russian Census of 1920, the All-Union Urban Census of 1923 and the first All-Union Population Census of 1926. The factors influencing the evolution of the national structure of the region are being studied. The conclusion is made about the formation in the main features of the ethnic map of the Saratov region.

The role of the national movements of the deported peoples in the process of the USSR dissolution is investigated in the article. The programmes of the national movements and its main purpose - creation of independent national states - are analysed in the article. It is made a conclusion that the national movements' leaders position in the setting of the weakened center and the republican national elites strengthening has become disastrous for the integrated state.