The Censorship Dilemma: Vasily Grossman and the Impact of Stalinism

There are numerous reasons for the censorship that befell Vasily Grossman's work, especially when comparing Stalinism to Nazism. In any country, such comparisons are a major crime and would warrant censorship. In the USA in 2019, a book published stating that Hitler got the idea to exterminate Slavs in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe from the extermination of Indians in the USA—an assertion rooted in the infamous Generalplan Ost. Such a comparison would not only provoke immense disapproval but would likely result in serious consequences.

Another reason for the censorship of Grossman's work is the unyielding fear of the Gulag. During the Stalingrad battle, the idea that soldiers expressed their truth freely is misleading. Who could doubt that they would fear the Gulag and its consequences, thus making such statements highly unadvisable?

Furthermore, the detailed portrayal of an intellectual family in Moscow and their circumstances due to a minor compromise did not go unpunished. Such narratives provided too deep a critique of the regime. The story involving Stalin calling a theoretical physicist for good luck and the ensuing support from the regime apparatus was not well-received. The apparatus was not thrilled with this casual display of support, considering the power dynamics at play.

These reasons are not a mystery, but they do highlight the broader context of censorship under Stalinism. The real mystery, however, lies in the so-called 'Black Book' (The Black Book: The Ruthless Murder of Jews by German-Fascist Invaders Throughout the Temporarily-Occupied Regions of the Soviet Union and in the Death Camps of 1942-1945). The Soviet regime's publication of this book detailing the murder of Jews by Nazi forces would seemingly not have caused controversy, given the anti-fascist stance of the Soviet Union during World War II.

What was truly surprising was the censorship of The Black Book after the war. The regime's purging of this significant historical document is perplexing. Vasily Grossman, deeply hurt by this unexpected censorship, chose not to accommodate the regime. Instead, he sought to analyze what just happened, ultimately concluding that the separation of the Jewish people from the Soviet people meant that the regime had become a primarily national regime devoid of ideological reasons for its existence. He recognized that the regime had essentially become a variant of fascism.

It is difficult to believe that Grossman was unaware of the censorship ahead of time. His plan for publication was well-thought-out and aimed to find a way to disseminate his work, even in the face of significant obstacles such as censorship.

The narrative surrounding Vasily Grossman and the impact of Stalinism on literature and academia serves as a critical lesson in the power of censorship and the resilience of those who choose to challenge it. The Black Book stands as a testament to the horrors of the Holocaust, and Grossman's analysis provides valuable insights into the complexities of power and ideology in the Soviet Union.

Conclusion

The story of Vasily Grossman and the censorship of his works exemplifies the profound impact of state control over literature and the arts. It is a case study that highlights the often-ironic and sometimes tragic relationship between truth and power. Grossman’s persistence in publishing his findings, even in the face of censorship, is a testament to the strength of intellectual freedom and the importance of confronting historical truths.

Keywords

Vasily Grossman, censorship, Stalinism, Nazism, The Black Book

Additional Resources

For those interested in further reading and research, consider exploring the following resources:

The Black Book: The Ruthless Murder of Jews by German-Fascist Invaders Throughout the Temporarily-Occupied Regions of the Soviet Union and in the Death Camps of 1942-1945 (Ilya Ehrenburg, Vasily Grossman, John Glad, James S. Levine) Works by Vasily Grossman Studies on the history of the Soviet Union and its cultural policies during World War II Analysis of Nazi and Stalinist propaganda and its influence on literature and culture