CARTOGRAPHIC SOURCES IN THE SYSTEM OF SOVIET CENSORSHIP: CONTROL MECHANISMS AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION (1917–1940s)

Abstract

The study reveals the interrelationship between mapping and Soviet political censorship. The article analyzes the process of formation and evolution of the system of control and restrictions in the field of cartography during the 1917–1940s. Particular attention is paid to the periodization of this process: from the relative openness of the 1920s to the total «closure» of cartographic information in the late 1930s. The role of political, military, and punitive-repressive institutions in regulating access to spatial information is highlighted. The influence of ideological factors on the establishment of secrecy principles is characterized. It is proved that during the specified period, the map ceased to be perceived solely as a scientific or educational product, transforming into a strategic resource and a tool for ideological manipulation. Cartography became an object of total control, leading to the emergence of a specific type of «Soviet map”, the defining feature of which was ideological expediency. The methods of state interference in the scientific process are outlined, such as: the removal of strategically important data, the distortion of geospatial information, and the introduction of strict regime restrictions. The destructive impact of censorship on the development of academic science and the professional activities of the scientific community is revealed. The evolution of tools and working methods of topographers during the Second World War is examined. The role of spatial information in ensuring navigation and increasing the efficiency of equipment use and unit management is outlined. It is emphasized that the introduction of advanced technologies of that time, such as aerial photography and precise positioning, became an important component of understanding how technological progress directly influenced the course of hostilities. The ways of using spatial information as a lever for military advantage are disclosed. The identified patterns prove that cartography in a totalitarian system performed not only a military but also a profound political function. The results of the study provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of using spatial information in the manipulation of public consciousness.