The Multiethnic Soviet Union and its Demise

This book provides a concise and accessible overview of the evolution of the Soviet Union as a multiethnic empire, exploring how the Soviet state responded to ethnic difference across its vast territory and how the collapse of the Union in 1991 fractured it along national lines. It examines how minority peoples experienced the potential advantages and disadvantages of ethnic politics within the Soviet Union and its aftermath.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Soviet Union, a multiethnic empire, underwent a significant transformation throughout its history. This book offers a concise and accessible overview of that evolution, delving into the complex dynamics of its diverse population. It explores how the Soviet state responded to the question of ethnic difference across its vast and diverse territory, shaping the fates of numerous ethnic minorities.

The book begins by examining how the Soviet collapse in 1991 fractured the Union along markedly national lines, leading to the birth of several new nation-states, including the Russian Federation. Brigid OKeeffe, in her insightful analysis, explains how and why the Bolsheviks inscribed ethnic difference into the bedrock of the Soviet Union. She also delves into how minority peoples experienced the potential advantages and disadvantages of ethnic politics within the Soviet Union.

The book showcases the unique experiences of various minority groups, such as Ukrainians, Georgians, Jews, Roma, Chechens, Poles, Kazakhs, and Uzbeks. Each group had its distinct cultural heritage, language, and traditions, and their interactions with the Soviet and post-Soviet politics of ethnic difference had a profound impact on their lives and identities.

The Multiethnic Soviet Union and its Demise provides valuable insights into the historical context necessary to understand contemporary Russias relationships and conflicts with its post-Soviet neighbors and the wider world beyond. It sheds light on the complex legacies of the Soviet era and the ongoing challenges faced by Russia in navigating its multiethnic and multicultural reality. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the history, politics, and culture of the former Soviet Union and its impact on the world today.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 133 x 210 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350136786