The Pete Quiñones Show Reading Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together' w/ Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson - Part 33
May 10, 2025
Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson, an expert in Russian history and political ideology, joins to discuss significant events from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together.' They delve into the Kishinev pogrom, highlighting its brutal impact and the myth-making surrounding Jewish experiences in Russia. The conversation also critiques how propaganda shapes historical narratives and societal reactions to violence. Johnson uncovers the Orthodox Church's responses to anti-Jewish sentiment, promoting peace amidst historical grievances.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Soviet Censorship of Jewish Terms
- The Soviet edition of the dictionary removed many Jewish-related words to avoid promoting anti-Semitic ideas .
- Jewish domination of the revolution made anti-Semitism punishable and suppressed such language.
Geographic Nature of Pogroms
- Pogroms mostly occurred in southwestern Russia, especially in areas with high Jewish populations like Odessa and Kiev.
- Central and northern Russia saw no pogroms despite general revolutionary unrest.
Jewish Militancy in Pogrom Areas
- Jews in densely populated areas were well-armed and often the aggressors in clashes with Christians.
- This contributed to the rise of self-defense groups like the Black Hundreds among Russian nationalists.
