Analysis Of Phillip Hallie's Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed

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Recommended: Impact of stalinism on Russian society

World War II left the Soviet Union feeling uneasy; Stalin had lived to see his country invaded a total of three times. Stalin was determined to prevent further damage to his country, so he began creating a buffer zone by essentially forcing the countries of Central Europe to agree to a communistic government that was closely aligned with the USSR. Stalin created the Warsaw Pact in 1955, which bound Central Europe together. However, after Stalin died his iron grip was no longer available to keep the countries of Central Europe in line. Stalin’s successor Khrushchev was an advocate for loosening of the iron grip. Khrushchev believed in the idea that there was “more than one road to socialism.” It was Khrushchev’s policies in regards to socialism …show more content…

Interestingly, the three countries portray methods discussed in Phillip Hallie’s book Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed that examines one French town’s resistance to the Nazis/Fascism. What is interesting to note is that Poland, the country who seemed to have the “easiest” resistance subscribed to similar moral values as the religious town. Ultimately, the countries of central Europe resisted the Soviets due to the crackdown on “correct” socialism, and those that engaged strongly in moralistic teachings were the most successful at …show more content…

Imre Nagy, Premier of Hungary, responded to Stalin’s death and Khrushchev’s policies with attempts for reform that seemed anything but socialist. Nagy advocated for an increased development of agriculture and a reduction in what he considered to be “excessive industrialization,” (Nagy, 425). Going directly against Stalin’s policies, Nagy also believed that “Greater tolerance is to be shown in religious questions,” (Nagy, 426). Nagy’s views directly contradicted previous socialist thought, which advocated for strong industry and oppression of religion in all its forms. Nagy’s views caused him to be removed from his position, but he had sparked a fire of ideas in Hungary. In 1956 a revolt broke out, which partially stemmed from a desire to reinstate Nagy. However, the Soviet Union cracked down on Hungary, which resulted in bloodshed. Hungary had revolted and declared independence from the Warsaw Pact. The USSR descended upon Hungary leaving many dead. This violent uprising is akin to the Marquis in France during WWII. The Marquis “were fighting for the liberation of their country,” via “violent means,” (Hallie, 9). Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed depicts the Marquis in an essentially negative light. The uprising in

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