The Pete Quiñones Show Reading Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together' w/ Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson - Episodes 21-30
Jun 19, 2025
Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson, a researcher and former professor specializing in Russian history, joins the discussion to explore historical themes from Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together.' They dive into Jewish involvement in revolutionary movements in Russia, the psychological complexities of early Jewish radicals, and the societal impacts of historical narratives. Johnson critiques misconceptions around Jewish roles in terrorism and emphasizes resilience amidst systemic exclusion. They also reflect on the influences of anti-Semitism and immigration on revolutionary ideologies.
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Jewish Role in Russian Revolution
- The Russian revolutionary movement was largely Jewish and driven from upper-class segments.\n- The revolution had little to do with the oppressed proletariat and much with subverting Orthodox Russia.
Conversion as Revolutionary Tactic
- Jewish revolutionary youth appeared to 'convert' to Christianity for tactical reasons, not genuine faith.\n- Their real allegiance was to revolution, not religious faith.
Judaism as Ethnicity and Politics
- Judaism functions more as an ethnic and political movement than a religion for many Jews.\n- Jewish nationalism and internationalism coexist as strategies for survival and influence.
