The news media have given us plenty of insight into how Ukraine and Russia relate to each other today. It was until very recently mainly a story of confrontation and now has turned into tragic conflict. Ukraine and Russia have had a long history as separate states and nations – sometimes acting in conflict with each other, sometimes acting in concert. If we look back towards the early Medieval Era, we will know that there was no difference (once) between Ukrainians, Russians or Byelorussians, for instance. So how did the history of this region result into nations that currently seem at odds with each other, and each accuse the other of misrepresenting their own national and cultural identities? Is Ukrainian language, culture and history the same as Russia’s? Where and how did the Medieval Empire of Ancient ‘Rus split apart and evolve into separate nations of today? How did Russia and Ukraine interact historically with neighbors and invaders in the region – from the Mongols to the Ottoman Empire to the Nazi invasion that devastated both Ukraine and Russia during World War II? And what of recent events which have resulted in a Russian war with Ukraine? Can history help us understand what is happening now?
The series of historical overview lectures will conclude with an interactive seminar on this very question.
This class will meet online for 6 Wednesdays.