Empire 94. The Bloody History of Russia & Ukraine
38 snips
Nov 2, 2023 
Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian known for her work on Russian and Soviet history, joins the discussion on the tragic interconnection between Russia and Ukraine. She delves into the bloody Civil War era and the devastating impact of Stalin's policies, particularly during the Great Famine, which led to millions of deaths. Applebaum highlights the resilience of Ukrainian villagers resisting oppression, the role of journalism in exposing the famine, and the lasting scars on Ukrainian identity shaped by these harrowing events.
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White Russian’s Fatal Flaw
- The White Russians couldn't see Ukrainians and Poles as allies against the Bolsheviks.
- This imperial mindset, rooted in the belief that Ukraine wasn't a real country, hindered their unity.
Ukrainian Identity
- A distinct Ukrainian national identity, tied to language and culture, emerged by the 19th century.
- This identity, fueled by poets, writers, and a sense of shared history, solidified Ukraine's distinction from Russia.
Ukrainian Independence and Bolshevik Invasion
- Following the February Revolution, Ukrainian nationalists declared independence in 1917.
- Bolsheviks invaded Ukraine, leading to a massive peasant rebellion, the largest in European history.
