Titolo della tesi: Soviet Ethnic Cleansing in the Memory of Ethnic Minorities: Perceptions and Collective Trauma
This thesis investigates the history of ethnic cleansing in the Soviet Union during Stalinism, concentrating on the period between 1930 and 1950. It draws on an extensive dataset of personal testimonies, documents, and archival records collected through rigorous field research and collaboration with historical archives in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and NGOs like Memorial. This study not only provides a detailed account of the repressive measures directed against ethnic minorities, but also examines the ideological motivations behind such policies, capturing the profound and enduring impact of Stalinist ethnic cleansing on the collective memory of the affected communities.
Through the integration of both oral history and official archival sources, the research offers a unique, multifaceted view of how ethnic cleansing was ideologically motivated and systematically executed under Soviet leadership. Digital Humanities tools, including thematic modeling and sentiment analysis, reveal which themes emerged most strongly within the narratives of survivors and their families, particularly in their accounts of physical and sexual violence, family separation, and the brutal conditions of transportation to labor camps. These findings shed light on the deeply traumatic experiences that have shaped intergenerational memory among ethnic minorities, illuminating the collective memory of ethnic repression as it has been passed down through generations.
This research is particularly relevant to current political debates in Eastern Europe, where issues of historical interpretation and collective memory continue to influence national narratives and international relations. By examining the systematic brutality and long-term consequences of Stalinist policies, this study underscores the importance of preserving the memory of these events, counteracting modern tendencies to downplay or obscure the repression of minorities during Soviet rule. As various state actors today attempt to reshape historical narratives for geopolitical gain, this dissertation highlights the urgent need for critical scholarly analysis and preservation of historical truth as a safeguard against revisionism.