The Amerikan Steppes: Russian Influences on the Great Plains

This project explores influences from the steppes of Russia and Ukraine on the American Great Plains. By analyzing connections between two regions with similar environments and environmental histories, it considers how far the transformation of the Great Plains into a major agricultural region drew on prior experience on the Russian and Ukrainian steppes.

Drawing on research spanning the humanities, social and natural sciences, it sheds light on this under researched aspect of American history and challenges preconceptions of the relationship between Russia and the USA. Moreover, it offers historical analogies to contemporary issues of global food security and sustainability at a time of environmental change.

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