Kuril Islands: Pacific Hot Spot in the Cold War

Our historical documentary series on the history of the Cold War continues with a video on the Kuril Islands, as we try to summarize why these islands became a potential hot spot between Japan and the USSR, as both sides used diplomacy and their allies to get the upper hand.

#ColdWar #KurilIslands #USSR

This video was sponsored by Bokksu

[dinolandia]

Very interesting. My Russian teacher grew up in the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka during the 1980s and 1990s. She was the daughter of a Soviet military family. According to her, those regions are a natural paradise and unlike nothing that could be found back in the rest of the USSR. The soldiers, scientists, and other staff would enjoy fresh caught fish or venison regularly to supplement their rations. There is no overcrowding or pollution. Some of the soldiers and scientists continued to stay there (off base of course) even after receiving orders to return home b/c of tales of anarchy, unemployment, and criminal violence in the rest of the former USSR during the 1990s and early 2000s. These individuals continue to live off the land, hunting and fishing, and earn a living as tour guides. As for her family they ended up relocating to Vladivostok for a better life.

[gmanbo]

So technically military hostilities Between Russia and Japan don't need a formal declaration of war at all.

[Armorius]

Wow, this was an extremely interesting topic, that has actually never before got mentioned.

[kylebarton]

I'm very happy that the Ainu weren't left out. Thank you for the video!

[안호성-pz]

4:42 I think this section could be quite misinterpreted as the Japanese ruling the entirety of the Sakhalin island during the interwar era. Though the portion of the island north of the 50th parallel was briefly occupied by the Japanese during the civil war, rsfsr eventually regained control of it and administered it since then.

[igorsmihailovs]

Nowadays there is another piece to the puzzle, as in 1992 large rhenium ore deposits were discovered on Iturup/Etorofu. Rhenium is very rare and pricey metal, so it definitely contributes to the problem.

[nileshkumaraswamy]

One of those disputes that lasts to today.

[justcallmeSheriff]

The Ainu and Okinawans should compare notes about how their homes are used as Cold War bargaining chips.

[deanbuss]

A nugget of history, that's really interesting 👍🤔

[cbrtdgh]

If Bokksu were around at the end of WW2, the Kuril Islands would still belong to Japan.

[beachboy]

Amazing video for a lovely Saturday afternoon.

[gabrielferrer]

You should do one about Spanish Franco's dictatorship and how he managed to remain in power after the defeat of the Axis. Would be really interesting!!

[jean-huguesaubry]

As a history and religion teacher, thank you for mentioning the Ainu people.

[blanyeeast]

Big ups for ending the segment on a very strong note about the Ainu people!

[blueberrypirate]

Ussuri bears live on the Kuriles and are very dangerous animals 🐻🐻

[benkamelmayssem]

thanks for the new video and the great work.

[iDoTechOK]

Fantastic - thank you. Great new knowledge for an experience historian like myself. :)

[Sequoia]

Russia's part in Japan's surrender does indeed get overlooked in the west. Guess cold war rivalries preclude giving credit where it's due.

[brokenbridge]

Nicely informative video. I hope this very thorny issue does get solved one day.

[tng]

Actually there was a rare chance of reviving the 1956 near agreement, in 1988/89, when the USSR was in financial dire straits and appeared to be keen to cut a deal similar to the 1956 one with Japan hoping for financial aids. As things turned out the USSR was so busy with other things in the dying months and the deal never materialized.