Alexey Stakhanov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexey Stakhanov
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Stakhanov speaks to a fellow miner
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Alexey Grigoryevich Stakhanov
Lugovaya, Oryol Oblast, Russian Empire
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| Died | 5 November 1977 (aged 71) Torez, Soviet Union
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| Nationality | Russian |
| Occupation | Miner |
| Known for | "Founder" of Stakhanovite movement |
| Awards | Order of Lenin Order of the Red Banner Hero of Socialist Labour (1970) |
Alexey Grigoryevich Stakhanov (Russian: Алексе́й Григо́рьевич Стаха́нов; January 3, 1906 – November 5, 1977) was a famous miner in the Soviet Union. He became well-known in 1935 for a special movement. This movement aimed to make workers produce much more. It also wanted to show how good the socialist economic system was. In 1970, he received the high honor of Hero of Socialist Labor. He joined the CPSU in 1936.
Early Life and Mining Career
Alexey Stakhanov was born in Lugovaya near Oryol, which was part of the Russian Empire. In 1927, he started working as a miner. His first job was at the "Tsentralnaya-Irmino" mine in Kadievka. This area is known as the Donbass.
In 1933, Stakhanov became a jackhammer operator. A jackhammer is a powerful tool used to break rocks. In 1935, he took a special course to learn more about mining.
Setting a Mining Record
On August 31, 1935, something amazing happened. It was reported that Stakhanov mined 102 tonnes of coal in less than six hours. This was 14 times more than his usual quota, or target amount.
Just a few weeks later, on September 19, he reportedly set a new record. He mined 227 tonnes of coal in just one shift. A shift is a period of time someone works.
His achievements were shown everywhere. Newspapers and posters used him as an example for other workers. He even appeared on the cover of Time Magazine.
Later Life and Honors
From 1936 to 1941, Stakhanov studied at the Industrial Academy in Moscow. This was a school for important industrial leaders.
After his studies, he held several important positions. From 1941 to 1942, he was the director of a mine in Karaganda. From 1943 to 1957, he worked for the Ministry of Coal Industry of the USSR. This ministry was in charge of all coal mining in the Soviet Union.
Later, he became a deputy director and then an assistant chief engineer. He retired from work in 1974.
Stakhanov was also a deputy in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. This was like being a member of parliament. He received many awards for his work. These included two Orders of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner.
To honor miners, the last Sunday of August was named "Coal Miner's Day." This was also partly in his honor. In 1978, after he passed away, the town of Kadievka was renamed Stakhanov. This was the town where he started his mining career.
The Stakhanovite Movement
Stakhanov's records inspired a nationwide movement. It was called the Stakhanovite movement. Workers who produced much more than their targets were called "Stakhanovites." They were seen as heroes.
This movement encouraged workers to produce more goods and materials. It was a way to boost the economy of the Soviet Union. In the famous book Animal Farm, the character Boxer is seen as a symbol of the hard-working Stakhanovites.
Was the Record Real?
Over time, people started to question Stakhanov's famous record. In 1985, The New York Times wrote about it. They said Stakhanov did mine a lot of coal. But they also said the event was planned by the Communist Party.
The Party wanted to make people feel good and work harder. Many other miners helped Stakhanov reach his record. The coal was counted only for him. This was part of a plan to show how well the new mining system worked.
A Soviet newspaper, Komsomolskaya Pravda, also said in 1988 that Stakhanov had helpers. They said his achievements were made bigger for propaganda. However, they also agreed that his methods did help improve how work was organized. This led to more coal being mined overall.
Some people also claim that other miners later broke Stakhanov's record. These include Alija Sirotanović from Yugoslavia and Sergej Scemuk from Ukraine.
Images for kids
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Stakhanov on the cover of Time Magazine, December 16, 1935
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Alexey Stakhanov as a student of the Industrial Academy on the front page of Pravda, November 15, 1937
See also
In Spanish: Alekséi Stajánov para niños
