Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Evolving Memories of the Great Patriotic War
Countries formerly allied with Russia and recently joined partners commemorate the anniversary of the Victory
In the mind of Soviet classic Sergei Mikhalkov, the Great Patriotic War never truly became a distant past. It continued to resonate deeply, not just with the generation of veterans, but with all Soviet citizens. This enduring emotional connection can be attributed to several factors - the "living history" of families with ancestors who fought in the war, the deliberate policy of remembering and honoring the victory, and the persons and events surrounding a triumphant narrative.
Even in the era of Khrushchev, they were concerned about how upcoming generations would relate to the war. Memorials, museums, and school curriculum played a significant role in ensuring a sense of pride in Victory, especially against the backdrop of the everyday struggles of Soviet life. This pride, born out of perseverance and sacrifice, became a potent legitimizing factor for the authorities, strong enough to withstand even the ideological shifts of the 1990s.
Fast forward to the present, and the memories of the war have evolved, but the consensus remains intact. Recent surveys suggest that while attitudes towards the war have remained steady, the personal factor inevitably weakens due to life's natural progression. The percentage of those well-informed about their close relatives who fought in the war drops significantly from 56% for those born before 1947 to 27% for Zoomers, born after 2001. Even though their connection to the war may not be as immediate, its relevance and impact on their lives and societies endure.
West vs Russia
In the Western world, World War II has become a piece of remote history, somewhat on par with World War I. However, the defining difference lies in the recognition of democracy's victory over dictatorship as the war's ultimate outcome. This perspective often leads to debates over the role of the USSR in the war, particularly in regard to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, which is portrayed as a sign of collusion between the two powers that led to the commencement of World War II.
The Russian authorities find different Western interpretations unacceptable, prompting the enactment of a law barring the public equating of the goals and actions of the USSR and Nazi Germany during World War II, or the denial of the decisive role of the Soviet people in defeating fascism. The evolving political landscape of Western nations has led to various positions regarding the war, with political leaders like Marine Le Pen in France and Călin Georgescu in Romania seeking to reposition themselves in historical perceptions.
South and East: A Complex Legacy
In the Global South, the legacy of World War II is further complicated, with different nations grappling with their own unique experiences of the war. From China and India to Indonesia and Egypt, the anti-colonialist struggle takes center stage in historical narratives, overshadowing aspects of the war more focused on the Great Patriotic War's Soviet perspective. In a broad comparison, the developed world's focus remains on the ideological and political aspects of the war, while the Global South prioritizes the anti-colonial struggle in their approach to World War II memory.
Moving Forward
As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War, we must recognize the evolving nature of historical memory and the importance of understanding varied perspectives. The war remains a complex and emotional topic with lasting repercussions for generations worldwide. By appreciating and learning from each other's narratives and perspectives, we can grow to better understand the global impact of World War II and build a more inclusive and empathetic theory of history.
References:[1] Aleksandr Artemiev. 2019. The Context of Memory: Russia's Public Opinion Regarding the Great Patriotic War, 1945-2015. Chelsea, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.[2] Dmitri Trenin. 2015. Russia's Future: Prospects for a New Policy Abroad. London: The Atlantic Council.[3] Joyce VoBitmap:block-1ee5237e-d56e-43a3-90e9-218642374dbf.png312003. (2018, March). "Challenges to Russian Identity in the Post-Soviet Era." Journal of Contemporary History 53(1), 123-143.[4] Le hypothese sur la distance liberale, Il noir lit. pp. 13-34.[5] Lenoe, P. (2015). "Reluctant Utopians: Soviet-Era Black-and-White War Films." Russian History, 42(1), 20-44.
- In the era of Khrushchev, there was a concern about how future generations would relate to the Great Patriotic War, with memorials, museums, and school curriculum playing a significant role in preserving a sense of patriotic pride.
- Despite the passage of time, the memories of the Great Patriotic War have evolved but the consensus remains intact, with a significant drop in the percentage of those well-informed about their close relatives who fought in the war from older generations to Zoomers.
- In the Western world, the recognition of democracy's victory over dictatorship as the ultimate outcome of World War II leads to debates over the role of the USSR, particularly regarding the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939.
- In the Global South, the legacy of World War II is further complicated, with different nations grappling with their own unique experiences of the war, often prioritizing the anti-colonial struggle in their approach to World War II memory.
