History, Memory, and National Identity; The Formation of the Russian Nation After the Katyn Massacre
Graduation Year
2022
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
History
Reader 1
Andrew Aisenberg
Reader 2
Corey Tazzara
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2022 Julia Messina
Abstract
The Katyn Forest Massacre is one example of an event where the recorded history and collective memory do not align. At times when events are misrepresented through media and intentional deception, those who remember what actually took place pass on the knowledge collectively, allowing a collective understanding that spites the historical record. These intersections are defining moments for national identity, where the image a state presents to the world conflicts with how their actions are actually perceived. This is true for Katyn. For decades, the event was denied and misrepresented by the Soviet Union who denounced accusations and convinced foreign leaders not to ask questions. The fight for the truth about Katyn is joined with the atrocity itself, both coloring the lasting national identity of the Soviet Union. This thesis explores the context and implications for the controversy surrounding the Katyn Massacre, looking at the investigations, denials, and attempts to memorialize the atrocity through the lens of collective memory. The legacy of the event remains in the global collective consciousness, particularly relevant in light of current Russian military actions.
Recommended Citation
Messina, Juliana, "History, Memory, and National Identity; The Formation of the Russian Nation After the Katyn Massacre" (2022). Scripps Senior Theses. 1864.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/1864
