It should be pointed out that the deportations to Siberia started already under the Tsars after the partitions.
The Poles I know are bitter about German atrocities, but respect the Germans for their cultural, scientific and economic achievements. For the Russians they have nothing but unbridled contempt.
“” “” The Poles I know are bitter about German atrocities, but respect the Germans for their cultural, scientific and economic achievements. For the Russians they have nothing but unbridled contempt. “” “”
With all the respect to the Poles and their suffering it is in part a result of Nazi and their own ultra-Nationalist propaganda.
Poland was bigger than Russia in many senses until early 17th century in cultural, economical and many other senses.
It was probably an unofficial leader of the Slavic world and a sort of great power.
At the same time, just like Ukraine and Turkey now or Russia for centuries to come it was in confusion is it part of the West or East. They decided West and it didn’t work as expected. Combined with political corruption typical to that of modern Ukraine but adjusted to 17th and 18th centuries they downgraded themselves from a great power into a troublesome backward part of Europe. And they were in denial about it for centuries. ‘Backward’ Russia has developed on all fronts into a global superpower at the same time and swallowed them at one point.
The general belief to this day is that it was unfair and Poland deserved the Russian place in history. That is why many stereotypes on Russian backwardness dating back to middle age but barely actual for 300 years and counting.
The most extreme of their theories even denies that the Russians are Slavs but states they are a mix between Mongols and Finno-Vikings.
I am in no way support historical Russian approach toward Poland but the Polish did some very bad things in Russia before is became big to hit back. It would make sense to update their view of Russia too. More so to bury it and move on.