Thursday, May 03, 2012

Russia's Great Famine and Mr. Hoover



HOOVERING HOOVER

The little-known story of the American effort to relieve starvation in the new Soviet Russia in 1921, The Great Famine is a documentary about the worst natural disaster in Europe since the Black Plague in the Middle Ages. Five million Soviet citizens died. Half a world away, Americans responded with a massive two-year relief campaign, championed by Herbert Hoover, director of the American Relief Administration.

This is a 7 miinute clip - the full video here

My dad told me that Catholics were sort of happy when FDR beat Al Smith in 1932.  Had he won, the first Catholic president would have been remembered for the Great Depression.  Instead, Herbert Hoover,  who took office on March 4, 1929, and in eight months somehow caused the  money markets crash that sent the world into a depression, took the blame.  That's how the history was taught anyhow.

I watched American Experience: The Great Famine last night.  I have no remembrance of ever hearing this story before. It stands on its own as an example of how Lafayette's prediction that "some day America will save the world" was unfolding.  It's also maddening film to watch, but once started, watch it you will (watching on NetFlix is best). You'll perhaps catch some insight into why this story failed to achieve "taught American history" status.  It's called the the commie influence over the American media, and educrats, even then.  In any event, I think you'll be happy you watched.

As an aside, this review of Thinker, Traitor, Editor, Spy  (Michael Straight) is good insight into the New Republic Magazine, a Hoover agonist in the video.

       

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