While the Soviet Century started off with more than just a bang, we unfortunately also watch it go out with less than a whimper. The Soviet Union was defined by the damage of it’s internal contradictions after decades of failed policy and economic liberalization pushed as an over-corrected response to a “socialism” one couldn’t say … Continue reading Death and Dissolution →
Category: Comrade’s Corner
Give It All You Got
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•The 1980 Summer Olympics! This international sporting event presented an opportunity for the Soviet Union to boast their nation’s capabilities on an world wide platform. However, these Olympic games quickly became a symbol for both international turmoil and politics. Following the Soviet Union’s invasion into Afghanistan in 1979, Gorbachev and his regime supported Babrak Kamal … Continue reading Give It All You Got
Let’s Talk About Sex
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•In the period of glasnost, or openness, in the Soviet Union, the conversation on prostitution became a public topic (Von Geldern). It wasn’t until 1987 that specific laws prohibiting prostitution were introduced in the Soviet Union. Prior to 1987, prostitution was taboo to many Soviets. I found it interesting that during an American talk show … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Sex →
All Along the Watchtower: The Soviet Vietnam
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•In the 1980s the Soviet Union found itself caught in a box reminiscent of the U.S. in the early 70s with Vietnam, except this time it was over the mountains of Afghanistan. The Soviets came to Afghanistan for a variety of reasons, the clearest of which is geography. Afghanistan is a central part of the … Continue reading All Along the Watchtower: The Soviet Vietnam
So Now We Have Equality
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•in 1980 the film Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears was published showcasing the lives of three women in the modern…
Women’s Sexuality and the Changing Culture of the 1980s
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•Much like in the West, the Soviet Union experienced a “sexual revolution” – of a sort. By the 1980s, female sexuality had become a topic of interest, though it still was seen by many as taboo. The beginning of “glastnost,” or openness, led to more awareness of the female body; yet as with any sexual … Continue reading Women’s Sexuality and the Changing Culture of the 1980s →
Why Afghanistan?
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•On the eve of 1980 the USSR invaded Afghanistan with invitation from the ruling body. Quickly the USSR inserted its own leader, Babrak Karmal (Geldern.) This led to a decade long war that robbed the USSR of precious public support, money and resources, and positive international attention. But why did the Soviet Union do this? … Continue reading Why Afghanistan?
Bye, Bye Vodka
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•In our perspective, the Russians are an alcohol- consuming, and -loving society. We cannot picture them without their beloved Vodka. Didn’t vodka make up for the cold winters in Soviet society? Well, the General Secretary of the Communist party in 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev, said “No more alcohol folks!” (-or, at least, from now on, only … Continue reading Bye, Bye Vodka →
Soviet Anti-Religion 101
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•Following the death of Stalin, the new regime began a social and economic transition that would lead to the provocation of Orthodox Christian views throughout Russia and the dissemination of atheist beliefs. During Stalin’s tyrannical reign, he accepted the existence of the Orthodox Christian institutions in social concerns in local providences. Little did the Russian … Continue reading Soviet Anti-Religion 101 →
My Tractor’s Not So Sexy
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•In 1953, Nikita Khrushchev was in a bit of a pickle. On one hand, the agricultural reforms that Malenkov had put into play had been greatly popular and seemed destined for success. On the other hand, Khrushchev felt bitter that Malenkov was getting credit for agricultural reforms, something he had been working to produce. The … Continue reading My Tractor’s Not So Sexy →