The Second World War as the second foundation of the Soviet Union

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Exploring the complexities of Soviet war memorials, this essay examines the varying European perspectives on World War II commemoration, particularly among Western, Eastern, and Russian narratives. It traces the evolution of Russian war memory from the silence of late Stalinism to the war cult of the Brezhnev era and the revelations during Perestroika. Highlighting the dual nature of soldiers' experiences, it reveals how the war both contributed to the Soviet identity and sparked resistance to Stalinism, ultimately reflecting the intricate relationship between power and memory in Soviet history.