Vejas Liulevicius: WW1 Eastern Front, German Imperialism, Hitler, WW2, Putin, Stalin and Total War

Vejas Liulevicius is a distinguished historian specialising in World War I’s Eastern Front, German imperialism, and the lasting geopolitical and psychological impacts of total war. His work sheds light on the often overlooked narratives that shaped Eastern Europe’s tumultuous 20th century.Expect to discover Vejas’s deep insights into the dynamics of expansionism, nationalism, and war psychology, as well as the connections between World War I, the rise of Nazism, and contemporary conflicts like Russia-Ukraine. He also shares thoughtful reflections on lessons from history for today’s complex global landscape.___Launch your podcast using my successful blueprint—even on a budget and with zero experience, get my new episodes 24 hours early & join a tribe of like-minded outliers who will help you grow…Want to start taking podcasting seriously? My full step-by-step podcast blueprint: https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385____Check out Vejas’ workWebsite: https://history.utk.edu/person/liulevicius-vejas-gabriel/The German Myth of the East: https://amzn.to/45bnslK00:00 Introduction to the Eastern Front00:46 Germany's Imperial Ambitions03:03 Cultural and Psychological Impact06:37 Comparing Eastern and Western Fronts10:53 Germany's Pre-War Context15:42 Total War and Its Consequences23:07 Expectations vs. Reality34:55 The Stab-in-the-Back Legend37:54 Hitler's Rise and Propaganda44:21 Linking the World Wars49:48 Impact of World War I on World War II51:21 France's War Aversion and the Fall of France52:48 The Haunting Legacy of World War I57:52 German Military Experiments in Eastern Europe01:05:50 The Ideology of Lebensraum01:12:29 German Views on Eastern Europe01:20:33 Putin's Ambitions and Historical Parallels01:28:12 Overconfidence in Military Campaigns01:33:52 The Fog of War and Historical Lessons01:34:31 Recommended Readings on World War I01:37:59 Cultural Impact of World War I on Language01:40:43 Disillusionment and Skepticism Post-War01:44:17 Formation of the European Union01:46:28 Stalin's Negative Selection and Its Impact01:50:40 Human Resilience and Historical Reflection01:55:05 Visiting Historical Battlefields02:01:33 Avoiding Future Total Wars02:07:22 The Role of Reading in Modern Society02:13:31 Advice to Younger Generations02:15:48 Conclusion and Future Projects