Aw (Foe)y What Have We Done

The United States and the Soviet Union have never been best buds. However, the 1970's brought about a new foreign policy that both the Soviet Union and the United States could get on board with, that of détente. This policy, as described by Gregory Freeze in his book, "Russia a History," made way for agreements …

The Ear-Resistible Crop

It is laid out in the thirteenth chapter of Gregory Freeze's book, Russia A History, that Khrushchev was not the most likely successor to Stalin; However, he had a great attribute in his ability to relate to the common folk through his concern for popular welfare (409). Khrushchev, after taking power, implemented agricultural reforms specifically …

Modern System of Force Employment Explanation?

Last week in class my group attempted to answer the following question: Why was the Soviet Union so ill-prepared for the conflict known as the “Great Fatherland War”? Our three leading explanations were: The Nazi-Soviet Pact The Skill of the German Army  The Purges  It is because in all honesty I don't know which of …

Women: Powerful or just Domestic?

This image, entitled "The Delegate" from the visual essay, "Models & Counter-models of Gender" within the subject of Revolutionary Manliness reminded me of Liuda in the silent film, "Bed and Sofa." This image depicting women in the communist 1920's is grouped with four others, each different from the next. Below are two starkly contrasting photographs, …

I Want You for Red Army

This poster has hung on my brother's wall for as long as I can remember. Every time I see it I think: America, Army, and Service to Nation; Never have I thought of Russia, until today. My first thought when I saw this poster was Uncle Sam and I was perplexed at Russia's use of …

Russia’s Great Divide

This photograph was taken by Russian photographer Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii in the town of Zlatoust in approximately 1909. At first glance, it appears to be a beautiful photograph with the delightful contrast of city and countryside. However, upon closer observation and research this photograph looks to me more like a visual representation of the great divide in …

Welcome to The Lasting Effects of a Soviet Sphere of Influence

Hi! Thanks for visiting my page! This blog is the compilation of my Twentieth Century Russia undergraduate course. I have been interested in Soviet history since visiting St. Petersburg in the summer of 2016, and wanted to learn more through this course. Further, I am a strong believer in the idea that the past will …