Quantitative changes in population of Odessa during the occupation in 1941–1944

Abstract

In modern historiography there is no study that would give an adequate and precise picture of demographic changes in Odessa`s population during the Second World war. This study analyses existing monographies, data stored in archives of both soviet and Romanian sides and analyzes them in order to create complete overlook of what quantitative and qualitative changes did the population of Odessa went through during the period from 1939 to 1945.
We have found out that during the Second World War the original Odessa population decreased more than by half. During the Odessa defense operation the main factor of population reduction was emigration to other regions of Soviet Union. During the Romanian occupation most victims were Jew victims of the Holocaust. When soviet army returned and freed the city, the population suffered losses from the conscription, but in general was growing due to immigration.
As a result, we can state that during World War II, Odessa suffered great losses in population. One of the most important changes was a change of qualitative parameter – after war Jews were making much lesser part of the city`s population, which led to major cultural changes in this region in following decades.
The study of population dynamics, its structure, number, vital activity of the city of Odessa, the capital of the Romanian-occupied and administered Governorate «Transnistria», a city with specific living conditions, national composition, unique historical experience, gives great space for scientific research. Relevant comprehensive and accurate analysis of migration and population loss in the city of Odessa in different periods of World War II. After all, this aspect is one of the most important components of social history, emphasizes the cultural and anthropological transformations in society as a consequence of war. Particular attention is drawn to the need to use the latest methods of calculating the population of the city on the basis of clerical documents, statistical reports, acts of various commissions that recorded losses and damage. The author makes a comparative analysis of the data of Soviet and Romanian documents, which made it possible to identify some contradictions. At the same time, based on a comprehensive study of all types of documents, the author made reasonable conclusions about the population dynamics of Odessa at different stages of World War II: during the defense of the city, the years of Romanian-German occupation and immediately after the liberation of Odessa from the occupiers.