Challenges Faced by Timothy Snyder: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Timothy Snyder. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Timothy Snyder is an American historian renowned for his expertise in Central and Eastern European history, the Soviet Union, and the Holocaust. He holds the Richard C. Levin Professorship of History at Yale University and is a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna. His work focuses on understanding the historical context of political and social issues, particularly concerning totalitarianism, nationalism, and the fragility of democracy. Snyder is known for his insightful analysis and contributions to public discourse on contemporary challenges to democratic institutions.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1933: Snyder elaborates "vorauseilender Gehorsam", the concept of obedience that hurries out ahead, dating from 1933 Germany

In 1933 Germany, Snyder elaborates "vorauseilender Gehorsam", the concept of obedience that hurries out ahead, dating from 1933 Germany and expressed most clearly in public haste to comply with Hitler shortly after his election, enabling him to seize additional powers

1938: Snyder compares Munich meetings

In 1938, Snyder compares Munich meetings in 1938 and 2022, noting the uncanny similarity between Hitler’s denial of Czechoslovak state legitimacy in 1938 and Putin’s denial of Ukrainian state legitimacy in 2022.

1938: 1938 Anschluss

In 1938, Snyder references the 1938 Anschluss when Austrians were quicker to accommodate the joining of their country to Germany than even Hitler himself expected.

1939: Molotov-Ribbentrop pact

In 1939, Timothy Snyder references the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact as precedents for the exclusion of Ukraine from talks representing an attack on its sovereignty.

February 3, 2014: Warning of Russian Invasion

On February 3, 2014, Timothy Snyder predicted Russia's invasion of Crimea in a New York Times op-ed, outlining specific threats of an invasion.

2017: Snyder elaborates additional lessons for the 21st century from On Tyranny

On October 30, 2024, Timothy Snyder elaborated additional lessons for the 21st century from On Tyranny including text from the 2017 book along with new reflections.

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

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December 2019: Snyder falls seriously ill

In December 2019, Timothy Snyder fell seriously ill following a series of medical misdiagnoses and while recuperating through the coronavirus pandemic he wrote Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary.

Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary

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November 2022: Sanctioned by Russia

In November 2022, Timothy Snyder was included on the list of 200 Americans barred from entering Russian territory, under sanctions announced by the Russian government.

2022: Snyder compares Munich meetings

In 2022, Snyder compares Munich meetings in 1938 and 2022, noting the uncanny similarity between Hitler’s denial of Czechoslovak state legitimacy in 1938 and Putin’s denial of Ukrainian state legitimacy in 2022.

March 14, 2023: Briefing the UN Security Council

On March 14, 2023, Timothy Snyder briefed the United Nations Security Council, addressing Russia's use of the term "Russophobia" to justify war crimes in Ukraine.

April 10, 2024: Snyder joins appeal to Congress for aid to Ukraine

On April 10, 2024, Timothy Snyder joined with over 35 musicians, actors, thinkers, historians, entrepreneurs, and diplomats in an appeal to Congress for aid to Ukraine in defense of democracy and in the fight "for our safety and for everyone's freedom."

April 17, 2024: Snyder provides testimony for the "Defending America from the Chinese Communist Party's Political Warfare, Part I" session

On April 17, 2024, Timothy Snyder provided written and oral testimony for the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability session: "Defending America from the Chinese Communist Party's Political Warfare, Part I," where he discussed political warfare and the exploitation of domestic weaknesses by hostile foreign powers.

September 2024: Snyder's September 2024 essay Trump's Hitlerian Month

In September 2024, Snyder's essay "Trump's Hitlerian Month" argues that the American taboo on comparisons with Hitler functions as a shield for perpetrators and analyzes Trump's anti-Ukraine rhetoric.

October 30, 2024: Snyder elaborates additional lessons for the 21st century from On Tyranny

On October 30, 2024, Timothy Snyder elaborated additional lessons for the 21st century from On Tyranny including text from the 2017 book along with new reflections.

November 8, 2024: Snyder publishes "What Does It Mean That Donald Trump Is a Fascist?"

On November 8, 2024, Timothy Snyder published his essay "What Does It Mean That Donald Trump Is a Fascist?" in the New Yorker, asserting that both Putin and Trump are fascists, as they arbitrarily choose enemies without any real harm caused to followers.

2024: Snyder responds to media questions about democracy's connection to the 2024 kitchen-table concerns of voters

In 2024, Snyder responded to media questions about democracy's connection to the 2024 kitchen-table concerns of voters. Snyder predicts that a Trump-Vance electoral win would destroy the American economy.

2024: Snyder assesses global and domestic affairs in his newsletter Thinking About

Since November 2024, following the United States presidential election, Timothy Snyder has been evaluating global and domestic issues in his newsletter, 'Thinking About,' employing diverse perspectives and cautioning against shock and outrage in order to understand the incoming regime's complexities.

February 5, 2025: Snyder comments on Elon Musk’s attempt to seize control of the U.S. Treasury system

On February 5, 2025, Timothy Snyder characterized Elon Musk's actions regarding the U.S. Treasury system as a "coup," emphasizing the shift from physical to digital power and the dangers of extralegal control of digital systems.

February 2025: Snyder calls for rejection of propagandistic references to “peace negotiations” in Ukraine’s absence

In February 2025, following the Munich Security Conference, Timothy Snyder advocated for dismissing propagandistic allusions to "peace negotiations" without Ukraine's involvement, arguing that Russia's withdrawal would immediately establish peace. He criticized American negotiations for seemingly favoring aggressors and undermining Ukrainian sovereignty.

2025: Snyder contrasts Project 2025

In 2025, Snyder contrasts Project 2025 calls for the expulsion of civil servants who know how to keep things working with good government efforts to promote progress, stability, and prosperity.

2025: Snyder responds to media questions about democracy's connection to the 2024 kitchen-table concerns of voters

In 2025, Snyder responded to media questions about democracy's connection to the 2024 kitchen-table concerns of voters. Snyder predicts that a Trump-Vance electoral win would destroy the American economy.

2025: Snyder describes Trump as Russia’s "only chance of winning the war"

In 2025, Timothy Snyder stated that Trump is Russia’s "only chance of winning the war", adding that Trump has always been submissive towards the power in the Kremlin and seemed to enjoy being bullied by Putin.

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