An Analysis of Political Control of Literature in the Soviet Union, 1946-1963

Since the October Revolution the Soviet Union has been regarded with fear and questioning. A new system of government had placed itself before the world. Too often the system, which is labeled Communism, is looked at in ignorance, people being unwilling to take the time to become acquainted with it. But it is only through knowledge that men can understand. Understanding may bring either admiration or contempt, but it does answer the question WHY? . This paper attempts to get at an understanding of only one small phase of Soviet life: literary endeavor and its political implications