History In late December of 1979, The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in support Afghan communist government. Muslim guerrilla fighters were challenging the new Communist Government. The Soviet Union felt the civil war offered an opportunity to extend their communist influence. (Encyclopedia Britannica) The following video offers a simplistic concise overview of the conflict. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP6M8pQ3H6w Cost Over the course … Continue reading “Bleeding Wound”
Setting the Stage We spent much of last week's class time discussing the Soviet people's expectation for social and political reform following the end of The Great Patriotic War. Russian citizens felt they had proven their loyalty to Stalin and the party through their immense sacrifice during the war. Instead of overseeing reform, Stalin choose to quell the peoples desire by tightening his control … Continue reading Genuine Desire to Reform, Or Another Play for Power
Andrei Zhdanov Andrei Zhdanov joined the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (Bolshevik) in 1915. He quickly rose up through the party ranks in Leningrad and was Chairman of the RSFSR Supreme Soviet from 20 July 1938–20 June 1947. The following Video discusses Zhdanov's party career. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56yRwYgK9oQ&t=148s War Time Cultural relaxation The external pressure of WWII brought about … Continue reading Andrei Zhdanov’s Cultural Purification
At Face Value This picture visually represents the mindset with which Joseph Stalin used to shape Russia in the 1930's. The 1930's were a busy time with mass construction in Moscow and the introduction of the second 5 year plan. Stalin signed off on an audacious plan to completely renovate Moscow into a modern city, which exemplified socialist values. This sentiment is echoed in the following … Continue reading Stalin’s Slight of Hand in the 30’s
Treaty of Brest Litovsk. March 3, 1918 Following the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks sought to make good on their promise of peace, land, and bread for all. The new Communist Regime opened up peace negotiations with Germany, Austria-hungry, and the Ottoman Empire. The Treaty of Brest Litovsk, named after a small Ukrainian town, was the ensuing peace document that developed out of … Continue reading Trading Space for Time
The 1905 Russian Revolution In 1905 Russia experienced widespread political and social unrest, which lead to series of reforms. Actions of the revolution included: factory worker strikes, peasant rebellions, and military mutinies. Ultimately the Russian government responded with the establishment of the State Duma, the multi-party system, and the Russian Constitution of 1906. Causes of … Continue reading A Reason to Skip Sunday Mass
In September 1909 the famous Russian photographer, Prokudin-Gorskii, visited the town of Zlatoust. During his visit, Prokudin-Gorskii took the picture featured above. The image is titled, " Weapons Cabinet in the Arsenal Museum of the Zlatoust Plant" by The World Digital Library. Zlatoust is located in the Ai River valley to the west of Chelyabinsk. It … Continue reading Foreshadowing for a Different Future
The Communist Experiment 