ABSTRACT
Self-determination was implemented in two stages by creating a federal system: first, by establishing the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic; and second, in 1922, by establishing the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. National self-determination in the Soviet Union was implemented within the framework of Soviet federalism. Contemporary Soviet historians and analysts are adapting Lenin's prerevolutionary views against the loosely tied federation to the political goals and processes of the Soviet Union in the seventies in order to promote one centralized unit. The "contractual element" of the union was considered to be the cornerstone of the Soviet federation. The structural development of the Soviet federation took place on two levels: one, redrawing of boundaries of the union and autonomous republics and elevating numerous national groups into the rank of autonomous republics; and two, the absorption of additional nationalities and the establishment of new union republics.
