The ongoing war in Ukraine is the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II, and brings to mind many striking parallels with the events of 1939-1945: Germany’s invasion of Poland, the Soviet Union’s invasion of Finland, the strategic importance of Ukraine itself and the desperate plight of refugees. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been compared to Stalin and Hitler, while Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky’s stirring words have brought comparisons to Winston Churchill.
Historian Chris Anderson and Rick Beyer, co-hosts of History Happy Hour, recently welcomed three distinguished historians (and HHH Alums) to discuss what insights, if any, WWII can offer us about the current day situation in Ukraine. Where are the comparisons strongest, and where do they fall short? Their guests were Keith Lowe, author of The Fear and the Freedom, Sean McMeekin, author of Stalin’s War, and David Murphy, author of The Winter War.
In case you missed it, we’ve posted the YouTube video below. This timely episode is a must watch!
