Epilogue: Memory—Summary

In various places within the former Soviet Union, individuals and groups have placed monuments, memorials, and museums. Despite this, there is still a lack of public awareness about the camps and what went on in them.

Applebaum argues that there are some reasons for this silence. "Most Russians really do spend all of their time coping with the complete transformation of their economy and society." (p. 569). They also feel that they have dealt with the past already, particularly during glasnost in the late 1980's and early 1990's. On a large scale, many individuals participated in the camp system and don't want to face their guilt. Younger individuals may not want to find out how their grandparents and parents collaborated with the system. Many of the countries once part of the Soviet Union are led by communists now, who have no...