Alma-Ata in the 1930s: The Soviet Capital of National Autonomy and a Regime City
https://doi.org/10.25205/1818-7919-2026-25-1-127-140
Abstract
The article examines the evolving status of Alma-Ata in the political and geographical landscape of the USSR and Kazakh autonomy during the 1930s. It presents a comparative analysis of the city’s roles as both a capital and are gimecity, particularly in light of Alma-Ata’s designation as the capital of autonomy and the initial phase of implementing the passport system in the USSR. In addition, the article offers data on the city’s growth and population increase, largely attributed to migration. It argues that the introduction of the passport system in 1933 and the establishment of Alma-Ata as a regime city in 1938 facilitated the enforcement of a passport regime. This enabled various campaigns to evict specific groups from the city and to relocate individuals living in unauthorized structures along the city’s perimeter. Ultimately, the conclusion underscores that, despite its designation as an autonomous capital, Alma-Ata – Central Asia’s largest city – remained peripheral to the central authority. This is evident in the gradual rollout of the passport system, the prolonged absence of a special regime city status, and the discrepancy between Al ma-Ata’s actual standing and its expected prominence as one of the capitals of the Soviet Union’s national republics. Nevertheless, the establishment of regime status in the late 1930s serves as a testament to Alma-Ata’s emerging role as a political center.
Supporting agencies: The article was prepared as part of the scientific project AP23485356 under a grant from the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the topic: “Introduction of the passport system in Kazakhstan 1932–1940”
About the Authors
N. N. Ablazhey
Novosibirsk State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Natalia N. Ablazhey, Doctor of Sciences (History)
Scopus Author ID 57207309210
WoS Researcher ID AAY-9828-2020
Novosibirsk
A. S. Zhanbossinova
L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Albina S. Zhanbossinova, Doctor of Sciences (History), Professor
Scopus Author ID 58870079400
WoS Researcher ID N-5002-2014
Astana
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For citations:
Ablazhey N.N., Zhanbossinova A.S. Alma-Ata in the 1930s: The Soviet Capital of National Autonomy and a Regime City. Vestnik NSU. Series: History and Philology. 2026;25(1):127-140. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25205/1818-7919-2026-25-1-127-140
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