Makhno and Memory: Anarchist and Mennonite Narratives of Ukraine's Civil War, 1917-1921

Více o knize

Nestor Makhno has been labeled variously as a revolutionary anarchist, peasant rebel, and mass-murderer, among other titles. These descriptions emerged during the Russian Civil War (1917-1921), particularly highlighting the violent clashes between Makhno's forces and Mennonite colonists in southern Ukraine. In autumn 1919, Makhnovist troops, along with local peasant supporters, perpetrated large-scale massacres, resulting in the deaths of over 800 Mennonites. The narrative surrounding this conflict is complicated by folklore, ideological disputes, and varying cultural memories, where fact and fiction intertwine, creating multiple interpretations of Makhno. Drawing on theories of collective memory and narrative analysis, this work engages a rich array of Makhnovist and Mennonite sources, including memoirs, diaries, and archival documents. It highlights diverse perspectives through personal accounts from Makhno and his anarchist followers, as well as Mennonite pacifists and those advocating for armed defense. By meticulously examining the Makhnovist-Mennonite conflict and focusing on the Eichenfeld massacre of October 1919, the author seeks to clarify the competing cultural memories and offers new insights into Makhno and his movement. This analysis prompts a necessary scholarly reevaluation of the complex relationship between the Mennonites and Makhno.