In 1991 the Soviet Union was on the brink of collapse. Economic stagnation crippled the economy. Centralized planning was no longer a viable economic option. The republics under Soviet domination began moving towards independence from the USSR. This state of … Continue reading →
The Quagmire Of Afghanistan
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At the height of the Cold War both the United States and the Soviet Union fervently worked towards expanding their influence over other countries. Afghanistan was a natural target for Soviet ambitions because of its relative location to that of … Continue reading →
Failure of Soviet Agriculture
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From early in his career, Khrushchev was a strong proponent of expanding agriculture in the Soviet Union. He was absolutely convinced that improved agriculture capabilities, and as a byproduct of surplus, better living conditions, would help socialism defeat capitalism in … Continue reading →
A Revival of Agriculture
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Stalin’s single minded focus on the development of industry in Soviet Russia had left the agricultural sectors in disarray. Russia had been, and was unable to meet its food needs for the entire nation. As Khrushchev solidified his power, he … Continue reading →
The Partisan Movement
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As the German military over extended itself on the Eastern front, its supply lines and logistical support structure became prime targets for groups of guerrilla fighters. According to William C. Fuller, these resistance fighters, known as partisans, numbered as many … Continue reading →
No God but the State?
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Religious persecution reached new levels in the 1920s culminating with the passage of the Law on Religious Organizations in 1929. The goal of the Soviet government was the removal of religious influences from society. These influences were seen as a … Continue reading →
The First World War and an Abdication of Power
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Russia’s involvement in the First World War was the tipping point for the February Revolution. It was believed that joining the Great War would cause an uprising of popular and patriotic support for Russia and the Tsar. For a brief … Continue reading →
Effects of the Russo-Japanese War in Russia
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Russia’s imperial interests in East Asia led it into direct confrontation with a rising Japanese empire. The following war not only had disastrous consequences for Russian imperial ambitions in the region, but it destabilized the Russian regime at home. The … Continue reading →
Ethnic Diversity and the Centralization of Power in Early 20th Century Russia
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Russia was and still is a land of incredible ethnic diversity. I find it amazing that imperial Russia was able to assert dominance and control over such a large expanse of land and the multitudes of different cultures it contained. … Continue reading →
Hello world!
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