People’s Diplomacy: A History of American Studies in the Soviet Union
In 1991, there were more than 1,000 "Americanists" – experts in U.S. history and politics – working in the Soviet Union. The Americanist community played a vital role in the Cold War, often directing the cultural consumption of Soviet society and shaping perceptions of the U.S. To shed light on this important academic community, Sergei Zhuk explores the personal histories of prominent Soviet Americanists, looking at the myriad cultural influences that shaped their identities, careers, and academic interests. Zhuk's compelling account, Nikolai Bolkhovitinov and American Studies in the USSR, takes the reader from the post-war origins of American studies, via the extremes of the Cold War, thaw and perestroika, to Putin's Russia.
People’s Diplomacy: A History of American Studies in the Soviet Union
In 1991, there were more than 1,000 "Americanists" – experts in U.S. history and politics – working in the Soviet Union. The Americanist community played a vital role in the Cold War, often directing the cultural consumption of Soviet society and shaping perceptions of the U.S. To shed light on this important academic community, Sergei Zhuk explores the personal histories of prominent Soviet Americanists, looking at the myriad cultural influences that shaped their identities, careers, and academic interests. Zhuk's compelling account, Nikolai Bolkhovitinov and American Studies in the USSR, takes the reader from the post-war origins of American studies, via the extremes of the Cold War, thaw and perestroika, to Putin's Russia.
Speaker
Sergei Zhuk
Professor of History, Ball State University
Hosted By
Kennan Institute
The Kennan Institute is the premier U.S. center for advanced research on Russia and Eurasia and the oldest and largest regional program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, and the region through research and exchange. Read more
History and Public Policy Program
The History and Public Policy Program uses history to improve understanding of important global dynamics, trends in international relations, and American foreign policy. Read more
