Dr. Crain Presents: Russia and Ukraine: From Partners to Enemies
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Milwaukee Catholic Home
2462 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
Presented By: Dr. Tim Crain
Complimentary
Join us for this 4-part series which will focus on the history of the relationship between Russia and Ukraine leading up to and including the present day status. Program dates are August 2, 4, 9 & 11. If you are unable to attend this program we will post a link to a video of Dr. Crain’s presentation after the 11th.
Russia and Ukraine: From Partners to Enemies
August 2: Russia in the 20th Century
The nation of Russia was dominated by the Romanov Dynasty for over 300 years. In the 20th Century, the Czarist autocracy was overthrown during World War I in 1917, and a new Marxist nation, the Soviet Union was born. The Soviet Union consisted of 180 distinct nationalities. The Russians dominated the Romanov years, and as the largest ethnic group in the Soviet Union, they would also control the Soviet Union. The Ukrainians represented the second largest ethnic group, but would always be treated as second class citizens during the Soviet era. The Ukrainians suffered tremendously during the reign of Soviet General Secretary Joseph Stalin.
August 4: The Soviet Union
Ukraine suffered during forced collectivization in the 1920s and throughout the 1930s. World War II brought even more hardship as Germany invaded western Russia and much of the war was fought in Ukraine. As the 20th Century continued, Ukrainians resented Soviet domination and hoped to one day become an independent nation. As the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union came to an end, the Ukrainians saw an opportunity to declare their independence.
August 9: The End of the Soviet Union and the Birth of Ukraine
In December of 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed. Many former Soviet republics sought their independence including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine. The Kremlin attempted to form the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), to keep much of the former Soviet Union together, but many Soviet former republics, including Ukraine, were not interested. Tension between Russia and Ukraine escalated into violence following the rise of Russia President Vladimir Putin.
August 11: Russia and Ukraine: Present and Future
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, taking full control of the Crimean Peninsula. The Russian invasion was criticized and condemned by the international community, including the United States. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine for a second time seeking the destruction and annexation of the nation of Ukraine, and again, Putin and Russia were vilified by the vast majority of nations of the world for this act of aggression. The Russian invasion led to the greatest refugee crisis in Europe since the end of World War II. Russia’s Army is eight times the size of the Ukrainian Army, yet the Russian Army has struggled against a very determined Ukraine, strongly supported by the United States and other prominent democracies.
About the Presenter
Dr. Tim Crain holds a BA in philosophy, history and political science, and MA in British and Modern European history, both from Marquette University, and a Ph. D. with specializations in Modern Jewish, Modern Europe and Modern Middle East history from Arizona State University. A noted public speaker, Crain delivers over one hundred lectures nationally each year.