Birobidzhan was established as the administrative center of the Jewish Autonomous Region (JAR) in Siberia in 1934 which was created by the Soviet government in order to establish a homeland for the Jewish population. The establishment of the JAR and Birobidzhan reflects the broader Soviet nationality policies that aimed to unite the distinct nationalities within the Soviet Union under a single Soviet identity. 

Argument

The creation and ultimate failure of Birobidzhan highlights the Soviet’s contradictory approach to national self-determination and their ultimate desire to promote socialism and a Soviet identity, especially through propaganda, that would subdue distinct national identities as well as exposed their antisemitic sentiments.