White Russians, red peril
Subtitle: a Cold War history of migration to Australia
By: Sheila Fitzpatrick
Publisher: La Trobe University Press in conjunction with Black Inc.
Published: 2021
Place of publication: Carlton, VIC
Language: eng
Number of pages: 368
ISBN-13: 9781760641863
Copyright date: 2021
Subjects: Cold War; Russians; History; Soviet Espionage; Emigration and immigration; Government policy
Description: Over 20,000 ethnic Russians migrated to Australia after World War II -- yet we know very little about their experiences. Some came via China, others from refugee camps in Europe. Many preferred to keep a low profile in Australia, and some attempted to 'pass' as Polish, West Ukrainian or Yugoslavian. They had good reason to do so: to the Soviet Union, Australia's resettling of Russians amounted to the theft of its citizens, and undercover agents were deployed to persuade them to repatriate. Australia regarded the newcomers with wary suspicion, even as it sought to build its population by opening its door to more immigrants. Making extensive use of newly discovered Russian-language archives and drawing on a lifetime's study of Soviet history and politics, award-winning author Sheila Fitzpatrick examines the early years of a diverse and disunited Russian-Australian community and how Australian and Soviet intelligence agencies attempted to track and influence them. While anti-Communist 'White' Russians dreamed a war of liberation would overthrow the Soviet regime, a dissident minority admired its achievements and thought of returning home.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.