The Pete Quiñones Show Reading Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together' w/ Dr Matthew Raphael Johnson - Part 71
Sep 17, 2025
Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson, a specialist in Russian history and political ideology, joins to explore the intricate themes of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together.' They delve into the Kronstadt Uprising and its implications on Bolshevik legitimacy, discussing the complex Jewish roles during the Civil War. The conversation also covers revolutionary movements in Germany and Hungary, revealing how these events instigated antisemitic reactions. Additionally, they navigate the political complexities of Kiev and the Hetmanate, shedding light on this tumultuous historical period.
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Kronstadt Revealed Bolshevik Brutality
- The Kronstadt Uprising exposed Bolshevik brutality and undermined their legitimacy.
- Trotsky led suppression which showed Bolshevik willingness to shoot dissenting socialists.
Bolshevik Isolation From Their Base
- The Bolshevik Party became isolated from workers, peasants, and military due to harsh policies.
- Requisitioning and civil-war measures produced strikes, famines, and widespread unrest.
Civil War Choices Deepened Ethnic Divides
- Many Jews in cities remained and often supported the Bolsheviks, widening ethnic divides.
- Emigration patterns showed Russians fleeing while many Jews stayed and took posts under Soviets.
