S8 Ep817: VFamily History and the Struggle for Western Ukraine The narrative shifts to Western Ukraine, specifically Galicia, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire before being annexed by the Soviet Union in 1939. Unlike the Russian Empire's forced assim

Family History and the Struggle for Western Ukraine

The narrative shifts to Western Ukraine, specifically Galicia, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire before being annexed by the Soviet Union in 1939. Unlike the Russian Empire's forced assimilation, the Austrians tolerated Ukrainian culture, turning Galicia into a center for Ukrainian nationalism. Finkel shares the story of his grandfather, Israel (Lev), who grew up in Poland and spoke no Russian until being drafted into the Red Army in 1940. Russia's historical anxiety over Galicia's influence was a key driver for World War I, as they sought to eliminate this "Ukrainian Piedmont." Guest: Professor Eugene Finkel. (2/8)
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