About this podcast

Join Lex Fridman as he welcomes historian Vejas Liulevicius, an expert on Germany and Eastern Europe. In this captivating discussion, Professor Liulevicius delves deep into the complex history of Marxism and Communism, exploring its rise, reign, and ultimate fall. Gain profound insights into the origins of Marxism, the Communist Manifesto, and the brutal realities of Communism in the Soviet Union under leaders like Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin. The conversation covers critical events such as the Holodomor and the Great Terror, analyzes totalitarianism, and examines the historical clash between Nazis and Communists in Germany. Further topics include Mao's influence in China, the Great Leap Forward, and the lasting impact of Communism in North Korea and the US. This episode offers an essential historical perspective and comprehensive analysis of Communism's global footprint and enduring legacy.