Watch A History of Eastern Europe

2015
1 Season

A History of Eastern Europe from The Great Courses Signature Collection is a comprehensive exploration of the politics, culture, and society of the eastern European region from antiquity to the present day. This 24-lecture course is taught by Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius, a renowned historian and scholar of eastern European history.

The course begins with an overview of the region's geography and demographics, highlighting its proximity to powerful empires like Russia, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire. From there, Professor Liulevicius delves into the history of eastern Europe, starting with the ancient migrations of Slavic tribes and the spread of Christianity throughout the region.

As the course progresses, Professor Liulevicius examines the various political and cultural forces that shaped eastern Europe over the centuries. He discusses the rise of medieval kingdoms and empires, the influence of the Renaissance and Enlightenment, and the impact of world events like the two World Wars and the Cold War.

One of the recurring themes of the course is the tension between eastern Europe and its more powerful neighbors. Professor Liulevicius analyzes the ways in which eastern European culture and politics were influenced by Russia, Germany, and other neighboring powers, as well as the efforts of eastern European nations to assert their own independence and autonomy.

Throughout the course, Professor Liulevicius also explores the rich cultural heritage of eastern Europe. He discusses the region's languages, literature, and artistic traditions, as well as its contributions to science, philosophy, and theology.

In addition to presenting a detailed historical narrative, A History of Eastern Europe from The Great Courses Signature Collection also includes many primary source materials and visual aids to help students better understand this complex and dynamic region. These include maps, images of artwork and architecture, and readings from influential texts like The Epic of Gilgamesh, the Bible, and works of literature by Goethe and Dostoevsky.

Overall, A History of Eastern Europe from The Great Courses Signature Collection is an engaging and informative course for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating region. Professor Liulevicius's expertise and engaging teaching style make the material accessible to learners of all backgrounds, and the wealth of primary source materials included in the course make it a rich and rewarding experience for anyone interested in delving deeper into eastern European history and culture.

A History of Eastern Europe is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between November 13, 2015 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection

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Seasons

24. Eastern Europe at the Crossroads

November 13, 2015

In this final lecture, youï¿½Ûªll revisit the four key themes running through this course and consider whether they still remain true of Eastern Europe today. Look at the regionï¿½Ûªs economy, politics, ethnicities, and relationships to Western Europe to consider the current state of Eastern Europe and what the future may hold.

23. The Unfolding Ukraine-Russia Crisis

November 13, 2015

Survey the recent crisis in Ukraine and see how the origins of this conflict stem from the last hundred years of the regionï¿½Ûªs history, which is rife with skirmishes and shifting borders. After providing the historical context, Professor Liulevicius explains the ins and outs of the current crisis, including ethnic divisions within Ukraine and Russiaï¿½Ûªs attitude toward former Soviet territory.

22. The New Europe: Joining NATO and the EU

November 13, 2015

Despite the breakup of the Soviet Union, NATO continued to exist, and began admitting newly liberated Eastern European countries into the organization. Reflect on Eastern Europeï¿½Ûªs place in the western world and what joining NATO and the European Union means for the region. Youï¿½Ûªll also explore Russiaï¿½Ûªs role in the post-Soviet world.

21. Yugoslav Wars: Milosevic and Balkan Strife

November 13, 2015

In the 1990s, Yugoslavia erupted into a brutal civil war between many different ethnic groups, including Serbs, Croats, and Bosnian Muslims. Unpack the many sides of this conflict, from its origins to ethnic cleansing and genocide to the countryï¿½Ûªs breakup into separate countries. Examine the worldï¿½Ûªs response to this crisis.

20. The Turn: The Post-Soviet 1990s

November 13, 2015

Take an archaeological tour of Eastern Europe in the wake of the communist collapse. After considering the regionï¿½Ûªs tattered economy, youï¿½Ûªll look at some of the secrets that emerged with the fall of the USSR and the release of Stasi files. Then consider the shift of identity that took place thanks to redrawn borders and new national entities.

19. Toppling Idols: The Communist Collapse

November 13, 2015

The fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakup of the Soviet Union are two of the most iconic moments in modern history. Trace the events leading up to these moments, from the newly free elections in Poland to the botched press release in East Germany that led to the opening of borders.

18. Solidarity in Poland: Walesaï¿½Ûªs Union

November 13, 2015

The beginnings of the end of Eastern European communism came with the firing of a shipyard worker in Gdansk, which led to a workers uprising and the founding of the Solidarity political movement. Dive into these exciting events, from rebellion to state crackdown, and meet some of the key players who altered the course of history.

17. Power of the Powerless: Revolts and Unrest

November 13, 2015

As the Cold War continued, Soviet forces tightened their grip on Eastern European countries, yet dissident voices emerged. In East Germany, Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, witness the revolt of proletarian workers and see how writers used secret publications and the power of the pen to protest totalitarianism.

16. Life in Totalitarian Captivity, 1953-1980

November 13, 2015

Go inside daily life in Eastern Europe during the peak of the Cold War. After reviewing the dire economy, Professor Liulevicius delves into the apparatus of state control. Find out how secret police forces such as the East German Stasi and the Romanian Securitate oppressed ordinary citizens through surveillance and a culture of fear.

15. Forest Brothers: Baltic Partisan Warfare

November 13, 2015

Find out about a fascinating conflict largely unknown today. The Baltic Forest War raged in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for many years after World War II. Learn about the guerrilla fighters who hid in the forests and attacked Soviet security forces-and then examine the Soviet tactics to stop them.

14. Behind the Iron Curtain, 1945-1953

November 13, 2015

In this lecture, Professor Liulevicius sets the stage for the next 40 years of Eastern European history. Go behind the Iron Curtain to examine how Stalin exerted control-and how countries such as Yugoslavia were able to resist. In the years after World War II, the battle lines were drawn for the emerging Cold War.

13. Postwar Flight and Expulsion

November 13, 2015

After the war, the West saw a measure of stability, whereas Eastern Europe was chaotic as displaced populations and refugees shifted among new political territories in the wake of the Yalta and Potsdam conferences. Witness the travails of some of these populations, including ethnic Germans, refugees from Soviet rule, and Jews who couldnï¿½Ûªt return to their former communities.

12. The Holocaust and the Nazi Racial Empire

November 13, 2015

The sheer number of casualties in the Holocaust defies the imagination. In this lecture, Professor Liulevicius guides you through this troubling history. Youï¿½Ûªll learn about German goals and actions, Nazi collaborators who helped produce the Holocaust, and resistance from within the Jewish community and in the world at large.

11. World War II: The Unfamiliar Eastern Front

November 13, 2015

Continue your study of World War II from the Eastern European perspective. Here, youï¿½Ûªll see how Hitler caught Stalin off guard with a surprise attack, causing the Soviet Union to join the Allies. Nevertheless, Stalin had his own plans to expand the Soviet sphere of influence. Meanwhile, in the Balkans, communist partisans had other ideas.

10. Caught between Hitler and Stalin

November 13, 2015

The Nazi-Soviet Pact is one of the most perplexing occurrences in modern history. Examine this uneasy alliance and how it accommodated Hitlerï¿½Ûªs and Stalinï¿½Ûªs plans for expansion in the 1930s and 1940s. See how borders were redrawn yet again as Germany and the Soviet Union invaded neighboring countries.

9. From Democrats to Dictators, 1918-1939

November 13, 2015

After the guns fell silent in Western Europe, border wars and the fight for self-determination continued in the East. Take a look at the major events after World War I, including the little-known Soviet-Polish war, forcible population exchanges throughout the region, and the rise of dictators.

8. World War I: Destruction and Rebirth

November 13, 2015

Examine the First World War from the very different vantage of Eastern Europe. Whereas the Westï¿½Ûªs view of the Great War is one of indecision and stalemate, the war in the East was one of movement-and perhaps even a cause for celebration as the old empires were destroyed, giving room for the creation of new states such as an independent Poland, among others.

7. Jewish Life in the Shtetl

November 13, 2015

The story of the shtetl-small Jewish towns once found throughout Eastern Europe-has been significantly lost to history due to the crimes of the 20th century. Here, Professor Liulevicius reconstructs what we know about the vibrant life in these communities and how it connects to modern Jewish culture.

6. The Age of Empires, 1863-1914

November 13, 2015

After poetic romanticism failed to produce a new world order, conservative politicians co-opted nationalism in support of empire building. Review the stirrings of nationalism within the Russian, German, and Austrian empires. Then turn to emerging political ideologies that laid the foundation for the world wars of the 20th century.

5. The Origins of Nationalism, 1815-1863

November 13, 2015

Glide into the age of Romanticism, when poets surpassed politicians in setting national agendas. In this lecture, after considering the distinction between civil and ethnic nationalism, youï¿½Ûªll study a number of 19th-century revolutions that swept across the region-and reflect how defeat in these revolutions paved the way for empires.

4. The Great Crime of Empires: Poland Divided

November 13, 2015

The combined nation of Poland and Lithuania was a powerful force in the 18th century-and its dissolution is one of the great crimes of the modern era. Civil strife provided the pretext for neighboring empires to swoop in and annex the nation. Consider the results of this partition and the political problem that would plague the region for the next century.

3. Clashing Golden Ages, 1389-1772

November 13, 2015

Continue your study of Eastern Europeï¿½Ûªs development with a look at several decisive battles, including the Battle of Kosovo and the Battle of Tannenberg. Youï¿½Ûªll see how these battles were transformed into legends-and were also key turning points for the regionï¿½Ûªs political landscape. Witness the creation of a united Poland-Lithuania, as well as the rise of modern empires in Prussia, Austria, and Russia.

2. Formative Migrations: Mongols to Germans

November 13, 2015

Examine the many waves of people who settled Eastern Europe during the ancient and medieval worlds. Ethnic groups including Germanic tribes, Slavic peoples, the Vikings, the Mongols, and many more created a diversity of language and culture. Meanwhile, the mix of Christians, Jews, and Muslims led to the regionï¿½Ûªs first political strife-and laid the groundwork for the modern era.

1. The Other Europe: Deep Roots of Diversity

November 13, 2015

Begin your course with a geographic overview of Eastern Europe, a region that begins at the Baltic Sea in the north and spans 20 countries to the Black Sea in the south. Here, Professor Liulevicius introduces you to the key themes of this course: Eastern Europeï¿½Ûªs remarkable diversity, it shifting borders, and its separateness from-and connections with-the West.

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Where to Watch A History of Eastern Europe

A History of Eastern Europe is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch A History of Eastern Europe on demand at Apple TV Channels and Amazon Prime and Amazon.