Nearly two years ago, in the lead up to Ken Burns "
The War" and Rocky Mountain PBS' "
Colorado War Stories," the Colorado community came together to share stories and reflections on World War II.
To this day, people still post comments on our
storyshare. Clearly, it is a topic that still resonates.
Today, we are eager to reinvigorate the conversation – with "
WWII: Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West," a new three-part series premiering tomorrow night at 8.
So often what we know about World War II comes from Western documentation and perspective. This series exposes the lesser-known story, using rare Soviet archives made available since the collapse of Communism in the 1990s.
Stalin's contribution to the war effort is front and center, from his early collaboration with the Nazis to his secret backroom dealings with Roosevelt and Churchill. So are the eyewitness accounts of Eastern Europeans who lived through it all.
It's amazing how many lives were at stake as a result of these negotiations. Hundreds of millions of everyday citizens, at the whim of just a few political leaders.
Lucky for me, the bulk of my German ancestors immigrated here before the war. I have less knowledge of how my Russian and Lithuanian ancestors fared. I am eager to piece together their lives under Stalin – as well as the man himself.
I'll be watching "WWII: Behind Closed Doors" the next three Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Let me know your impressions.
And, for all you history buffs and teachers out there, check out the
program's website for bios, maps, timelines, curriculum guides and behind-the-scenes videos.
-Elizabeth Mayer, Rocky Mountain PBS
