Russia began WW2 as Hitler Ally (1 Viewer)

[The Katzie Kid]

https://vancouversun.com/opinion/op...ia-began-the-second-world-war-as-hitlers-ally

 

[mikemiller1955]

good article...thank you!

 

[jazzeum]

This is not new news.

 

[Combat]

It is sort of interesting that most histories gloss over the fact that England and France declared war on Germany for invading Poland but not Russia.

 

[Sentaapua]

Brad is absolutely right, this is no new news.
Nevertheless, what bewilders me is an undeniable fact: except for good historians and wwii history enthusiasts, most people today are completely unaware of this news... Most reasonably informed people in the western hemisphere believe war started as an isolated aggression of Germany against Poland on September first, 1939, in complete ignorance or oblivion of the fact that 16 days later, Russia invaded Poland from the east, happily meeting and parading with the Germans in Brest-Litovsk as previously agreed on the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact. They started WWII together, cheerfully dividing Poland among themselves, enjoying the spoils of their mutual conquest, remaining in peace for almost 2 years!
It’s amazing how Soviet era (and current Russian) propaganda were successful in wiping out from ordinary people’s knowledge their perfidious and front stage roll in starting the war! Just my bewilderment...

 

[jazzeum]

Slightly off topic but I recently read David Remnick’s Lenin’s Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire in which he discusses, among other things, Stalin’s Purges. I had an idea about the Great Terror but only a vague one. Reading this book made me see the extent and horror of it and the effect it had on all walks of Soviet life. Sometimes we are aware of certain historical facts but it may take more to make an impact, something more than a knowing acknowledgment.

 

[Sentaapua]

Slightly off topic but I recently read David Remnick’s Lenin’s Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire in which he discusses, among other things, Stalin’s Purges. I had an idea about the Great Terror but only a vague one. Reading this book made me see the extent and horror of it and the effect it had on all walks of Soviet life. Sometimes we are aware of certain historical facts but it may take more to make an impact, something more than a knowing acknowledgment.

Brad,

Thanks for pointing out this book! :salute:: I'll certainly read it. Despite it's 1994 release, I didn't know it, and just placed an order on Amazon!

 

[jazzeum]

Carlos, it’s a good book but in a way a little dated because it only goes through the early 90s. A good companion book is Second Hand Time by Svetlana Alexievich.

A book of hers that was written some years ago but just published in English is Last Witnesses: An Oral History of The Children of WW II. It’s received good reviews.

 

[waynepoo]

Interesting colour picture of the time, Soviets and Germans seemed very pleased with themselves.