The Uses of History Ukraine 2014: Ideology und Historiography

At every stage of the conflict in Ukraine, from the Euromaidan to the crisis triggered by Russia's annexation of the Crimea and to the war in the Donbas, the parties to the conflict have resorted to history and concepts of history. Some speak of Cossack traditions of freedom, others of the "defensive struggle against fascism" or of Novorossiia. This is supposed to mobilize support, to legitimize political and military action, and to create identity. These assertions do not stand up to scrutiny. But those who seek to distinguish historical facts from manipulation and propaganda need in-depth knowledge. East European history as a discipline has a lot of catching up to do in researching and teaching of Ukrainian history.