Abstract

The aim of this I.S is to examine the relationship between the U.S and Ukraine when it comes to military intervention and influence to adequately gauge the effect U.S aid and allyship has had on Ukraine during the current Russo-Ukrainian War. As well as to explain postcolonial sentiments in Ukraine and the historical perception of the war as one of liberation. Connected to both of these topics is inexplicably but also unsurprisingly the advent of social media and its use by people from all echelons and positions within society. Additionally, civilian, security, and military aid provided to Ukraine, as well as vigorous international discussions and global political negotiations, have been deeply driven by historical factors outside of the United States' concern for the wellbeing of the Ukrainian people. Instead, inflicting damage against the Russian military, as well as further supporting the U.S military industrial complex, have played large roles in these shipments. Furthermore, there is a specific goal in enabling postcolonial conflict in Ukraine to further bring them under a Western sphere-of-influence. This aspect of the conflict, and perspective on the U.S, is not one widely expressed or mentioned by governments or news outlets when aid is sent. Rather, the United States government, as well as the Ukrainian one, frame the security assistance packages as being to better strengthen Ukraine’s defenses solely. This discrepancy in state and media reporting as well as framing of the conflict leaves an incomplete picture of the war being presented. Social media and the information explosion have drastically shifted this perception both domestically and across the world. The context and content provided continually shows and has shown for years is not a new or an invented fight by politics, but a battle that Ukrainians have been participating and dying in for centuries.

Advisor

Sene, Ibra

Department

History

Disciplines

Military History | Social History

Keywords

Ukraine, United States, Russia, War, Postcolonial, Social Media

Publication Date

2023

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

Download

Share

COinS
 

© Copyright 2023 Patrick Colwell