Ukraine is known as the breadbasket of Europe. Its farmers raise and export a huge chunk of the world's wheat, barley, and other grains. But in 1932 and '33, Stalin decided to show Ukrainians who was boss and suppress those who would oppose the authority of the Soviet Union. The collectivization and modernization of agriculture was going on throughout the USSR, and all areas that were once abundant resources were harmed when experienced farmers were replaced by government policies and unreasonable goals. Bad weather made things worse. Still, Ukraine suffered so much that many countries consider the Holodomor an act of genocide.
Tom Blank of Weird History makes no attempt at humor in this video, because it's a truly tragic story. He does allow a little sarcasm when appropriate. You can learn more about the Holodomor at Wikipedia. Beware, the details are gory and heartbreaking.
I read about this back at the beginning of Putin's invasion but have not met many people who are aware of this wholesale murder.
ReplyDeleteMost people I have met are also unaware of the 1994 agreement with the US, UK, and Russia, signing an agreement to protect the Ukraine in return for letting Russia remove all nuclear weapons from the Ukraine. After the breakup of the Soviet Union Ukraine was a leading nuclear power.
The Ukraine feeds half the world and Putin wants the control and profits from that power.
These people have been abused and back-stabbed so many times it makes me angry the Republicans in Congress want to screw them again.
Be careful, don't trip, let me move my soapbox out of the way.
xoxoxoBruce