The Politics of Russian Memory: The Great War in the European Context

This article examines how the historical memory of World War I emerged and developed in Russia, also compares it to Europeans have thought about conflict. The author argues that politics differed during Soviet post-Soviet periods. In wake 1917 Revolution, Bolshevik efforts re-format Great were part its attempt create a new society man. At same time, regime used mobilize for impending conflict with 'imperialist' powers. key actors sought inculcate notion war imperialism into mass consciousness Central Committee Communist Party, Department Agitation Propaganda, and, particular, Red Army Comintern. latter two worked together organize major campaigns dedicated anniversaries, which important both reinforce concept imperialist as well involve masses public commemorations, rituals practices. state relied on organizations veterans promote such commemorative practices while suppressing any alternative narratives. goes explain how, under Stalin, government began change way portrayed mid-1930s. And after Second War, greatly from those West. USSR Patriotic was sacralized, earlier remained symbol unjust wars.