Stalin's Great Terror and Russian History

Arch Getty, a Russian history professor at UCLA, shares his journey into Russian studies, which began in the politically charged 1970s. Unlike many, he was drawn to Russian history through politics rather than literature. He highlights the uniqueness of Russian history, which lacks many Western historical milestones. Getty's passion for the subject was sparked by a captivating lecture he attended by chance. He has since focused on Stalin's Great Terror, emphasizing its complexity beyond just Stalin's influence.

What initially drew Arch Getty to study Russian history?

• Interest in European history

• Family background

• Political climate of the 60s and 70s

• Russian literature

Which of the following historical movements did Russia not experience?

• Renaissance

• Industrial Revolution

• World War I

• Cold War

What was the unexpected factor that led Arch Getty to take a Russian history class?

• A scheduling convenience

• A personal interest in Russian culture

• A friend's recommendation

• A scholarship requirement

What was one of the major consequences of Stalin's Great Terror?

• Economic prosperity

• Cultural renaissance

• Mass purges of elites

• Expansion of Soviet territory

How does Arch Getty suggest we view the Great Terror?

• As an isolated incident

• As a complex historical phenomenon

• As a simple historical event

• As solely Stalin's doing