Ukraine on the Eve of WWII

Ukraine on the Eve of WWII: Life Under a Permanent State of Emergency (1920s–1930s)

How did the Soviet Union’s preparations for war transform everyday life in Ukraine? And what were the consequences for millions of people forced to live under a regime of fear, hunger, and control?

In this lecture, we explore how Stalin’s dictatorship reshaped Ukrainian society in the interwar period. The USSR’s push for industrialisation, collectivisation, and military readiness came at an immense human cost. In Ukraine, these policies led to famine, repression, and the destruction of traditional rural life.

Topics covered:
– Soviet industrialisation and the preparation for total war
– The Holodomor (1932–33): causes, mechanisms, and international silence
– Political repression and the Great Terror in Ukraine
– Introduction of internal passports and population control
– Forced labour, mobilisation, and the militarisation of society
– The psychological effects of life under total surveillance and fear

📚 📚 This lecture is part of the course Ukraine: The (Un)finished Second World War — exploring Ukraine in WWII, global conflict, historical narratives, and modern “memory wars” over the “Ukrainian question.” The full course with additional teaching materials and tests is available here:
https://www.udemy.com/course/ukraine-the-unfinished-second-world-war/?srsltid=AfmBOoqrwFcB17zFLVFpLttL_IT942c4rpfa5Anar_RlF9a6XQG2vzjx

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