Women made great strides toward equality in the first twenty four years of the Soviet regime. They gained the right to divorce, to own property, and to work outside of the home. However, these gains did not mean instant equality. … Continue reading →
Monthly Archives: October 2014
Promoting Patriotism
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The role of nationalism during World War 2 was vital to the success of the Soviet Union. Due to the fact that war was seen as a national struggle and the protection of Russia was everyone’s goal the war effort … Continue reading →
“Not One Step Back”
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The tactical moves by the Germany army in WWII in the Eastern Front are still both impressive and painfully full of failure when we take a look at the campaign. The initial invasion saw so much potential for total victory: the ferocity of Blitzkrieg attacks, Germany’s technical superiority, and the sheer element of surprise invasion. […]
Katyn Forest Massacre
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In 1943, Nazi Germany announced the discovery of a mass grave site in the Katyn Forest. They announced that they discovered a ditch “28 meters long and 16 meters wide, in which the bodies of 3,000 Polish officers were piled … Continue reading →
Car Trouble
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Most of the time it is hard to say what was worst; communism or fascism. However, sometimes it is really easy. Communism was the worst. If fascist states have one thing going for them, it is their superiority in the automotive industry. Germany alone had more car companies than the Soviet Union had car models. … Continue reading »
The Breaking of the Fascists’ Back
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The Eastern front in WW2 (or as the Russians referred to it, the Great Patriotic War) was known to be notoriously bloody. After the battle of Stalingrad, the Nazis were in full retreat. Hitler, in his infinite wisdom (there’s some sarcasm there) decided to mount an offensive attack to recover his losses in what the […]
Treblemakers in a national cause
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When you hear about a singing revolution, what comes to mind? A group of people making a statement or an entire nation standing up for liberty? A little country that no one heard of (and still doesn’t know about) had … Continue reading →
Pay No Attention to Us
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Soviet Partisans played a major part in the soviet victory against the Germans in the Great Patriotic War. As Germans moved deeper into Russia, it became apparent an extra edge was going to be needed to defeat the advancing German lines. From the start of the war, partisan forces began using guerrilla warfare tactics […]
Hit the road, Jack: Deportation and Western Xenophobia in Soviet Russia
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During World War II and even post-war, the Soviet Union was infamous for its deportation and xenophobic policies. This began in 1943, as the NKVD marched one million ethnic minorities, in particular the Kalmyks, from their homes into what is … Continue reading →
Terror and Triumph in the Thirties
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Long Live Soviet Physical Culture! (1934)
If the Soviet thirties were the worst of times for many, for others they were among the best. The posts this week reflected that dichotomy, and one of the main themes that comes from looking at all of the submissions is the amazing juxtaposition of achievement and success (building the Metro, mass marketing “champagne,” investing in a “happy childhood,” cultivating enthusiasm for physical fitness) against the trauma and tragedy of the Purges and the Stalinist dictatorship. We had a bumper crop of good posts this week, and the editorial team is delighted to bring back the weekly digest. Besides the wonderful posts featured in the slider, make sure to check out Comrades’ Corner, which has never been so crowded. Finally, a warm congratulations to the student choice winner and finalists.
And now, full steam ahead. The Great Patriotic war awaits!