Central Asia in World War Two: The Impact and Legacy of Fighting for the Soviet Union

During World War II, Central Asia experienced significant population displacements due to troop movements and civilians fleeing to the region. Vicky Davis' book "Central Asia in World War Two" explores the experiences of minorities fighting for the Soviet Union, highlighting the hardships they faced, including forced assimilation, cultural indoctrination, and anti-Semitism. The legacy of the period continues to be debated today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Central Asia has long been a geopolitical crossroads, strategically located on the ancient Silk Road. Envied by the expanding Russian empire, it was colonized in the 19th century by Cossacks and traders from the north. This book explores how Central Asia, then part of the Soviet Union, experienced massive population displacements during the Second World War. Vicky Davis examines how troops were sent westward into action, only to witness waves of civilians traveling eastward into the region: evacuees, refugees, and even internal deportees exiled from their homelands in other parts of the vast Soviet Union.

Central Asia in World War Two is a groundbreaking work that delves into the experiences of minorities fighting for the Soviet Union under Stalin during the Second World War. Drawing upon meticulous archival research, the book examines the intricate interplay between individual citizens and the Soviet state, shedding light on the lives of over three hundred ordinary men and women in Central Asia. These individuals, predominantly Muslim, faced immense economic and physical hardships, as well as racism and religious oppression. Under the influence of Stalin's ubiquitous propaganda machine, they were subjected to a forced process of Sovietization, which entailed suffering incredible economic and physical hardship.

Davis vividly portrays how the women and children left at home were forced to labor in factories and communal farms, serving as the backbone of a war occurring thousands of kilometers away. She argues convincingly that the impact of forced assimilation, cultural indoctrination, anti-Semitism, and re-education on the region was as significant as the daily struggle for survival in wartime. The legacy of this period remains profound, shaping the political, social, and cultural landscape of Central Asia to this day.

This book is a valuable contribution to the study of World War Two and the history of Central Asia. It sheds light on the experiences of ordinary individuals who were caught in the crossfire of a global conflict and provides a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped the region during this tumultuous period.

Weight: 626g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350372283