Let’s say you’re Vladimir Putin (even though that would probably be a nightmare), and you’re really concerned about what your fellow citizens currently think about you, as well as how future citizens will rate you in history. What can you do to ensure generations to come see you as you see yourself – the greatest Russian ruler of all time?

The answer is easy: You rewrite the history books.

Which is why word has it that one of the Kremlin minions, a guy named Vladimir Medinsky (popular name, Vladimir), was commissioned to publish four new history textbooks for 16- to 18-year-old schoolkids. The content apparently gives a completely revised interpretation of the fall of the Soviet Union, the Putin regime, and the causes of the Ukraine War, er, Special Military Operation.

From what I’ve read, the books will, “reflect Putin’s historical view: pride at the achievements of the superpower Soviet Union, indignation at the humiliations of the Soviet collapse, and acclaim for the ‘rebirth’ of Russia under the former KGB spy’s rule which began on the last day of 1999.”

The last chapter of one book deals with the time period after World War II through the present day, and apparently focuses on what caused the Ukrainian War. In short, it’s all apparently “the West’s” fault. Reading between the lines, I’m pretty sure that means us, the good ol’ U.S. of A. It seems Putin got discouraged when he offered Russia’s support after the 9/11 attacks, but we didn’t respond the way he thought we should, perhaps offering our own support of him. As a matter of fact, he seemed to think We the People wanted to destabilize and break up Russia so we could take control of it.

To back up that notion, it seems the book cites, as examples, the ever-expanding NATO alliance with countries geographically closer and closer to Russia, persecution of Russians, and helping to topple “established elites” from power in Georgia and Ukraine. Because of those actions, “Russia’s youth, according to the book’s narrative, must understand the tragedy of the Soviet collapse, the perfidy of the West and the need to sacrifice themselves for the greatness of the Russian motherland.”

In other words, invade Ukraine.

Under one chapter heading that read, “What reasons forced Russia to start the Special Military Operation?” came answers such as Ukraine’s attempt to ban Russian books, music, films, and the teaching of the Russian language. The book also apparently said, “Gradually, the United States and NATO started to prepare Ukraine for the role of the main battering ram against Russia.”

In the immortal words of some long-ago cowboy, “Them’s fightin’ words.” And that’s the school-learnin’ Russian kids are soon to receive.

As I read about this new version of Putin history, I couldn’t help but wonder if there were other topics that might have been considered ripe for re-telling. I put together a small list of possible inclusions in a re-write of their re-write. Of course, there’s no way to know if any of these were discussed, but I would think some might have been given serious consideration.

For example,

  • Stalin didn’t starve, persecute, or execute 4 million Ukranians in the 1930s. No, it turns out he was a really swell guy concerned mainly about overpopulation. So, he simply thinned the herd.
  • Khrushchev was just a kind-hearted farmer who liked Disneyland.
  • Russia had a little help from Britain, France, and the U.S., but pretty much single-handedly defeated Germany and then Japan in WWII.
  • Siberia is a winter wonderland – a playground for anyone wishing to get away from the hustle and bustle of Moscow.
  • The USSR was finally broken up because somebody sold Mikhail Gorbachev a bill of goods.
  • The Soviet Union cured cancer, won the space race, earned all the gold medals at every event Olympic event, and treated all citizens totally equally.
  • Russian-Ukranian citizens begged Putin to come and save them from the Kyev government. They yearned to once again be under the yoke of Moscow. With the invasion of Crimea, et al, Vlad “the Mad” was simply responding to the pleas of his cornered countrymen.
  • The skirmish in Ukraine went exactly according to plan. Putin had merely been wanting to test out his military preparedness in case of a bigger battle down the line.

Given that Russia’s leader pretty much controls the state media, it’s a good bet no one will raise a significant protest against his version of historical events. And Russian students may never know anything else. Fortunately, we have a right to question anything and everything here in the U.S. That freedom of the press detail, and the idea that facts are stubborn little things tend to get in the way of demagoguery. Hopefully, that will never change.

©MMXXIII. William J. Lewis, III – Freelance Writer