September 1, 1939 is the date the German Nazis invaded Poland, initiating World War Two. Less well remembered is the shortly thereafter Soviet Russian invasion of Poland.
A month earlier, the Nazis and Soviets had agreed not to attack each other and to divide Poland (and other parts of eastern Europe) between them. The Soviets delayed their attack until September 17 because they were close to effecting a ceasefire with Japan, which went into effect on September 16.
Nazis and Communists are kissing cousins in the family of authoritarian collectivisms. Philosophically and practically, much more joins them than separates them. Perhaps Communazi really is the best term for that terrain.
Which is also why I edited the Soviet Union out of the WW II portion of this video discussion of the philosophical origins of war: The Soviet Russians began the war as allies of the Nazi Germans, but when the Germans turned on them they became enemies.
Two images from Westerplatte, in Gdańsk, Poland, visited in May 2018. One is the ruins of a barracks and the other a tower memorializing the Polish soldiers who died there.
Also highly recommended is the World War Two Museum in Gdańsk, a well-funded institution with huge and creative exhibitions of all aspects of what truly was a world war.
Thank you! I had no idea that Soviet was on the side of Nazi Germany in the beginning of the war. Can’t wait to tell my Russian colleagues and see the looks on their face! Love your book of Explaining Postmodernism, so good!!
Thoroughly enjoyed your talks!! Thank you, thank you!!!!
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