The history of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and of the Russia of today are essential to understanding what is happening in Crimea and the Ukraine. The Russian Revolution of 1917 ended the reign of Russian Czars and resulted in the creation of the USSR.
After years of a ruling class, the idea of communism was appealing. The reality was that under Lenin, life was oppressive and later under Stalin it was brutal. During WWII, the USSR was an ally of the United States but after the secrecy and repression in the USSR (behind the iron curtain) led to a period called the Cold War.
Then in 1991 after a period of ethnic unrest, and after Gorbachev's failed attempts at democracy with openness (glasnost) and restructuring (perestoika), the Soviet Union collapsed resulting in the formation of 15 new states.
Some of the states lean Baltic, some Asian and some European. The Ukraine is considered European leaning.
The area called Crimea is part of the Ukraine. With its deep ports, Crimea is vital to the economic success of the region. Russia leases moorings and land installations in Crimea.
In the long and complicated history of the region, the USSR was formed by conquest. Now we have Soviet President Putin trying to regain control of the region and protect the interests of Russia-by conquest,
The question for the people of the United States is this: is this our business? If you believe in one world order, it is.
Otherwise, we shouldn't try fight everyone's battles. We should be worrying about protecting our borders.
Virginia Sparks
