JWST 303 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Soviet Union

• School: McGill University
• Department: Jewish Studies
• Course: JWST 303
• Professor: Daniel Heller

Document Summary

1920s--2. 5 mil jews in ussr--proportionally small amt (of 147 mil) Were both victims and victimizers as part of secret police. Would often direct violence against other jews. Early on, it was state policy to condemn antisemitism. Soviet policy towards jews and other national minorities . In 1900, ethnic russians made up only 43% of pop. Experience of jews was oft parallel to other natl minorities. Ideology vs reality in an authoritarian system. Ruthless poli syst betrayed noble goals of first communist state. But realities/interpretations/resistance varied across state/depending on perspective. After dissolution of ussr, many jews immigrated to israel. Some argue that they brought w them authoritarianism/conservatism. Using jewish life in the ussr as a window to the soviet system .