Food supply to the population of Leningrad in the conditions of the blockade (1941-1944)

Annotation

The problems associated with the siege of Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War have become particularly relevant in modern conditions. The relevance of the appeal to the study of food problems is determined by the fact that the prolonged blockade led to famine among the population, an increase in morbidity and mortality, and an aggravation of household problems. Their analysis helps to better understand the mechanisms of survival of the population in extreme conditions. The purpose of this work is to study food problems in the conditions of the siege of Leningrad, analyze the features of their solution, identify the main survival practices of Leningraders. The research was based on archival documents, periodical materials, diaries and memoirs. They contain data on food stocks, resource allocation, the number of people suffering from hunger, contain information about the work of canteens and catering facilities, allow you to track the dynamics of the food situation in the city, assess the scale of the food disaster in the city. The methodological basis of the research is the principles and methods of scientific cognition. The work uses the historical method, the method of analysis, induction and comparison. The article shows that in conditions of food shortage, hunger has become one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality. The city authorities have taken a number of measures aimed at combating hunger. Canteens, which played a key role in providing food to the population, became one of the most important aspects of the survival of the townspeople. However, despite the enormous efforts being made to supply the city with food, hunger and exhaustion of the population remained a serious problem until the end of the blockade.

Keywords

• the Great Patriotic War
• Leningrad
• the blockade
• the civilian population
• food problems
• ration cards
• rationed supplies
• hunger
• dystrophy
• canteens
• enhanced nutrition
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References

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