Bundism in the Baltics (1918-1940)
Sam Aronow
The video explores the rise and influence of Bundism in the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia between 1918 and 1940. It covers the social and political climate that allowed Bundist ideology—a Jewish socialist movement promoting cultural autonomy and secular Yiddish culture—to flourish among the Jewish communities during the interwar period. Despite challenges from both nationalist and Bolshevist forces, Bundism remained a significant force in advocating for Jewish rights and cultural preservation until the advent of authoritarian regimes and the eventual Soviet annexation, which marked the decline of Jewish political autonomy in the region.