This seems to be a very unique disjunction from the normal hostilities we attribute with American-Soviet relations. Even though the two powers used it as a competition of sorts, it showed a more peaceful interaction between them then I would have thought possible, and it provided a great opportunity to share culture from across the pond. I really liked that you focused on something a bit more uplifting like this, and I feel that it better helps us make a more accurate picture of what relations between the Soviets and US were instead of pure aggression.
Author: eclaybrook
Comment on Not a BUDAful place to be by eclaybrook
I like the topic you posted on a lot. You focused on something that didn’t directly impact the Russians which was a nice change of pace, and it’s pretty cool that you got to visit Hungary on your study abroad. I found it interesting that the Catholic church was so instrumental in creating resistance against Soviet influence. I wonder if this could garnished enough support from the Catholic community abroad to send help and aid to Hungary, but it seemingly did not.
Comment on The Girl with the Tokarev SVT-40 semi-automatic rifle. by eclaybrook
Ok, so this was a really cool post to read about, and the presentation of this Soviet hero was very well done. I vaguely knew about Pavlichenko before reading this post, but the statistics and images you provided made me truly understand not only how impressive this woman was as a sniper, but also the indiscriminate hate she had for all Nazis. This post, I feel, sheds light on how the people of Russia felt, regardless of Soviet propaganda, and involved the war effort was for everyone. Great job with this post.
Comment on Germany’s Mistake is a Soviet Success by eclaybrook
This post was very well done all around. You gave a solid context and background to your topic that was compounded by equally concrete evidence throughout the post. I really like the sort of style/format you took with the body of your post where you individually discussed each aspect of your topic in short and concise paragraphs. For me, it really helped attain a better grasp of how the Soviet’s were able to bounce back from such a catastrophic start to the war and become a superpower less than 5 years later. Awesome work!
Comment on Episode 5: The Motherland Strikes Back by eclaybrook
As always, you really put yourself into your work, and it goes towards making a very entertaining and informative post each week. I really appreciated the hyperlinks that you posted throughout the blog for those who are interested in learning more. Overall, the overview of Stalingrad was very well put together, and you were very effective at providing context and commentary throughout. Great job.
Comment on Off With Their Heads! by eclaybrook
It’s interesting how even with the combined support of the world’s capitalist democratic nations the White army was still effectively crushed. They had many advantages including a nationalist drive, but they were not ready to press the advantage due to their lack of military leadership. This last civil war was the last step in the dying Russian regime to total Soviet dominion, and its passing would enable socialism/communism to spread for the rest of the century. Great post.
Comment on Episode 3: Revenge of the Reds by eclaybrook
Its a sort of tragedy that patriotism and good intent on its own is not enough to stand up against an organized military front. The Whites in the end were trying to hold back the tide of change, and even with the combined effort of the world’s democratic nations, socialism won its existence. Also, this was a good post, but you are extra. Thanks Ethan
Comment on I Want You for Red Army by eclaybrook
The legacy of the Red Army to this day seems to be those long coats and hats that you have shown in these posters. How the Bolsheviks used propaganda was so important to their overall goal of winning the masses over and taking control. I think your connection makes a really good point about how groups used posters in this time, and even today, to garnish their party and their actual political intentions. Also, really enjoyed the posters in this blog.
Comment on Episode 2: Attack of the Bolsheviks by eclaybrook
Once again, George Lucas, you have done it again. Your graphics and blog design give great credit to your post, and I think that is one of the strongest things about this one. For the actual writing, you did a great job chronicling the events of the Revolution and wrapping it up with that famous slogan “Peace, Bread, and Land.” Nice job buddy.
Comment on Church of the Resurrection by eclaybrook
It’s incredible that old churches like these survive through revolution, war, and the test of time, especially since its Eastern Orthodox roots would have been condemned by the Soviets. I’m kind of interested in knowing now how the new Soviets viewed churches like this since it represents an older Russia before Communism. Great picture, and great story behind it.
