The Pete Quiñones Show Reading Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together' w/ Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson - Episodes 11-20
Mar 31, 2025
Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson, a researcher and expert in Russian history, joins to dissect Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together'. They delve into Nicholas I's policies on Jewish communities, unravel historical anti-Semitism, and explore the tumultuous Jewish-Russian relations of the 19th century. Dr. Johnson provides insights into cultural collisions and shifts in Jewish identity while considering the impact of pogroms on Jewish assimilation. Personal reflections and anecdotes about a playful kitten add a warm touch to the thoughtful discussion.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Inaccurate Historical Accounts
- Historical accounts of Nicholas I's treatment of Jews are often inaccurate.
- Sources like Wikipedia and the Jewish Encyclopedia promote a false narrative of Nicholas I.
Religious Contempt for Russia
- The Talmud uses code names for Rome, viewing it as an enemy.
- Russia, as the "Third Rome," inherited this religious and ideological contempt.
Jewish Farming Failures
- Jews were given land, tools, and subsidies to become farmers, but often failed.
- They lacked experience and faced religious sanctions against farming.