Eastern Europe 1918 to the Present: Rebirth, Clashing Ideologies, and Nationalisms by John Kulczycki at the Newberry Library

Dear Members and Friends of the Polish Museum of America,

The Polish Museum of America is pleased to share the following announcement as a courtesy to one of our own. John Kulczycki, Life Member of the Polish Museum of America, will be teaching an upcoming course at the Newberry Library focused on the modern history of Eastern Europe.

Eastern Europe 1918 to the Present: Rebirth, Clashing Ideologies, and Nationalisms
Instructor: John Kulczycki
Tuesdays, April 21–May 19
6:00–7:30 p.m.
In person | 5 sessions

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Why is Eastern Europe still different from Western Europe, more than a quarter-century after the collapse of Communism? The roots of this difference are based in experience of the twentieth century: weakness vis-à-vis Germany and Soviet Russia. The region was the main killing-field of the Second World War before their “liberation” by the Soviets in 1945. The imposition of dictatorships only deepened Eastern Europe’s “backwardness.” Even in the post-Communist period, its problems made it a fertile breeding-ground for nationalism and political extremism. We will explore the comparative “backwardness” of Eastern Europe and how this has driven strategies of modernization; how the region served as a testing ground for political experimentation; and, in particular, the enduring strength of nationalism, which since 1989 has re-emerged more virulent than ever.

Our members support the Polish Museum of America, and the PMA supports its members in turn. This email is shared for informational purposes only and is sent as a courtesy on behalf of a PMA Life Member. The course described above is not organized under the auspices of the Polish Museum of America.

Registration and additional details are available directly through the Newberry Library. Please register at: https://reg.learningstream.com/s_reg/reg_registration_maintenance.aspx?na=1