Michael Zdanowski was born and raised in the UK, but his interest with the Cold War goes back generations. His grandfather having emigrated from Poland to the United Kingdom during the second world war and was a distinguished member of the RAF in the battle against Germany. 

Michael’s interest in the Cold War prompted him to pursue a doctorate focused around the Sovietisation of Estonia post-WW2, which he researched over a number of years. 

His findings indicated a wholesale imperialistic strategy that centered around language, culture and moving large numbers of Russians into Estonia. 

However, his findings also demonstrate a great deal of Estonian resistance to these efforts, with the local population finding ways of celebrating their local culture and heritage through covert means. 

It is a story of attempted social engineering that underestimated the desire of a people to be conquered.

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Co-host Peter Ryan conducts our chat and I am delighted to welcome Michael Zdanowski to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode156/

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0:00 Introduction and Michael Zdanowski's family history

2:41 Interview with Michael Zdanowski about his interest in the Cold War

10:55 Michael's university studies and encounters with Cold War era tutors

16:48 Discussion on Soviet migration and cultural imperialism in Estonia

29:18 Resistance of Estonians against Soviet rule and preservation of culture

34:56 Independence movements in Soviet Socialist Republics

39:11 Influence of Western culture in Estonia during the Cold War

41:42 Enduring impact of the Soviet era on Estonia

45:27 Rapid fire discussion on Cold War themed books and films

52:23 Imaginary dinner party with Cold War personalities

53:51 Additional resources and donations

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