The national songs of the baltic states were always a strong point of pride among the Baltic populations, and I think that they realized they could reconcile their protest for independence with these songs. Another part of it is I think that they realized that singing is about the most non threatening action a group can undertake, so the Soviet’s would have no justification to undertake violent actions to break up such a protest.
Author: zaneg96
Comment on The Baltic Independence Movement by zaneg96
I definitely believe that the dissolution of Russia’s satellite states played a role in weakening the Soviet Union overall. These dissolutions sparked other satellite states to recognize that they too could abandon the Soviet Union if they executed a withdrawal in a proper manner, while also giving them the hope and morale to do so.
Comment on The Baltic Independence Movement by zaneg96
I think that some of the violence that occurred was inevitable- using violence to suppress protests was a commonality for the Soviet government. The use of violence failed, however, when protests (like in the Baltics) really advertised their causes and the protests to the outside world, thus putting more eyes on them on the international stage as a sort of warning against the Soviets not to get violent.
Comment on Maksimizing our Potential: Maksim Gorky and the Great Retreat by zaneg96
At first, Gorky helped Stalin and the Party out on his own volition, so in a sense yes he did support the beliefs. But as time progressed, it seems he became disillusioned and critical of the courses of action the Party was undertaking.
Comment on From War to Revolution by zaneg96
I think the Tsar might have been able to maintain control a bit longer if he had focused on leading the country rather than leading the war effort, but the overthrow was an inevitability in the end.
Comment on Excuse me while I have a quick meltdown by zaneg96
I really enjoyed your post, especially how you put it into a perspective that many (if not all of us) can understand. The meltdown at Chernobyl is one of the more overlooked events in the latter half of the Cold War, yet is among one of the most important- not just for the Soviet Union either. Outside of the physical toll that the meltdown has taken, does the meltdown still continue to have social and economic effects on Russia and Ukraine?
Comment on Say No to Alcohol by zaneg96
Phil, this was a great post. It is definitely interesting to see how much of a backlash this anti-alcohol campaign had on various socio-economic and political aspects of the Soviet Union. Do you think that any of the unintended effects seen in the immediate aftermath still linger in Russia today?
Comment on Summerhouses & the Soviet Union by zaneg96
Taylor, this was a really interesting post. Since starting this class, and reading in passing about “Dachas” of various famous Soviets, I always wanted to learn a bit more about what they are and their significance. I found it very interesting how the concept was designed to help the common soviet citizen, but their was a fundamental lack of structure or regulation behind actually facilitating common citizens from using one privately. Great job!
Comment on Let the games begin! by zaneg96
Great Post, and very unique too. I had never heard of the Luzhniki complex before, let alone known of its significance in relation to Soviet policies at the time. As some of my peers also mentioned, the construction and development of this complex seems like it was meant to inspire more national/cultural development and participation; obviously it more than succeeded in that regard. It’s also really interesting to hear how the complex is still being used today and will be into the future- a unification of past and present for Russia.
Comment on Shoot For The Moon. Even If The Cosmonaut Misses He’ll Land Among The Stars by zaneg96
Brett, I really enjoyed your post and your discussion about Soviet idolization of Cosmonauts. The steps the Soviets took in putting humankind in space, first nonetheless, was bound to be a point of strong national pride and an inspiration to win the ideological war being waged. I enjoyed the poster you attached to your post, as it really captures the “larger than life” persona the Soviets attached to Cosmonauts and solidifies the “ideal Soviet” image as well. Great job!
