Colonization from Within? Introducing Internal Colonialism Within the Former Soviet Union

Internal colonialism presents a distinct form of colonialism where a dominant group exercises hegemonic control over land, intertwining with subordinate populations within a shared space, effectively erasing clear geographical boundaries between a ‘metropolis’ and ‘colony’.¹Barrera, Mario. Race and class in the southwest a theory of racial inequality. Notre Dame , IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2022.

Unlike traditional colonial models, internal colonialism delves into the complexities of social structures and power dynamics within a single geographic region. The dominant group wields authority and exploits resources, often at the expense of marginalized populations. It underscores the systematic subjugation and exploitation of racial and ethnic minorities within a nation’s borders, characterized by relationships of oppression and exploitation.

This framework brings to light the entangled nature of power relations within a state, emphasizing how these dynamics perpetuate a cycle of domination and subjugation. In essence, internal colonialism reveals colonial-like practices within a nation, exposing the persistent and troubling impacts on marginalized communities. Notably, the former Soviet Union’s relationship with Kazakhstan serves as an illustrative example of internal colonialism.

In her Tainted Desert: Environmental Ruin in the American West, Valerie Kuletz similarly employs the colonialism framework, defining “nuclearism” as a form of “internal colonialism” to describe the environmental destruction driven by the agents of the nuclear economy.²Kuletz, Valerie L. The Tainted Desert: Environmental and Social Ruin in the American West. New York: Routledge, 2016. Link.

As the successor to an imperial power, the Soviet Union paradoxically positioned itself as morally superior while facing criticism regarding its engagement with colonial practices. Recent historiography converges on the view that the Soviet Union embodied imperial characteristics, exemplifying the phenomenon of “internal colonialism” primarily evident in Central Asia, Ukraine, and the Baltics.³Loring, Benjamin. ““Colonizers with Party Cards”: Soviet Internal Colonialism in Central Asia, 1917–39.” Kritika: Explorations in Russian and Eurasian History 15, no. 1 (2014): 77-102.^,4Harris, Zachary, “Internal Colonialism: Questioning The Soviet Union As A Settler Colonial State Through The Deportation Of The Crimean Tatars/Uranium Fever: Willful Ignorance In Service Of Utopia” (2020). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. Paper 1616444393.

Perceptions of the Kazakhs by Soviet leaders were significantly shaped by ethnic and historical stereotypes, driven by their own moral and national superiority. In their pursuit of internal colonization, the former USSR deliberately undermined existing structures, including leadership systems and land utilization practices, intensifying tensions and exacerbating power dynamics within the context of internal colonialism.⁵Steven Sabol. “Comparing American and Russian Internal Colonization: The ‘Touch of Civilisation’ on the Sioux and Kazakhs.” Western Historical Quarterly 43, no. 1 (2012): 29–51.

Ultimately, the dark history of Soviet nuclear testing in Kazakhstan is a story of shaping an environment—through atomic might—to meet a nation’s needs. By understanding this veiled history, we simultaneously unveil the narrative of local communities adjusting to a socio-economic system dictated by the authority of the Kremlin government.