WW2

• Although the Nazi-Soviet Pact was signes in 1939, peace between the two countries was unlikely to last. In June 1941, Nazi Germany implemented Operation Barbarossa and began invasion of the USSR
• Impact of German Invasion

  • By the end of 1941, Germany controlled about 45% of the USSR’s population.
  • The USSR lost access to its large grain supplies from Ukraine, along with coal and steel production areas.
  • 100,000s of Soviet soldiers had been killed, wounded or taken prisoner.
  • The Soviets used a ‘scorched earth’ policy, sabotaging communication and transport links making it harder for the German army to advance.
• WW2 had significant social and economic impacts on Russia, however the political impact was much more limited
• Kiev was under siege, and was eventually taken by the Germans. Stalin did not take responsibility for defeats, instead he tried and shot senior commanders.
• Oct 1941: Siege on Moscow - orders given for a mass evacuation of the city. In 2 weeks, 2 million people left Moscow for the East. But, Russia managed to push the Germans back, proving the Nazis could be defeated
• 1941: USA and Britain promised under the Grand Alliance, to supply war materials for a further 9 months for Russia
• The Battle of Stalingrad

  • In 1942 Hitler ordered an attack on Stalingrad. 
  • Stalin ordered every able-bodied citizen to be supplied with a rifle so that they could defend the city.
  • By November, the German army had entered the city. They captured the whole city before the tide turned.
  • But, the German soldiers eventually surrendered on the 2nd of February 1943, after over 200 days
  • 90,000 German soldiers were taken prisoner.
  • The Victory at Stalingrad raised the morale of the Red Army and humiliated the Germans - became a turning point in WW2.
• Social effects of WW2

  • Almost 30 million Soviet citizens died (half of the worldwide war death toll)
  • I million premature deaths as a consequence of Leningrad
  • Soviet propaganda made those killed appear like heroes
  • Of the 5,170,000 soldiers captured, only 1,053,000 survived
• Economic effects of WW2:

  • 30% of pre-war economy had been destroyed, including 31,580 industrial entreprises
  • 65,000km of railroad was destroyed
  • 84,000 schools/ unis were destroyed
• Political effects of WW2:

  • Structure of government remained relatively stable
  • Stalin announces that the victory showed the vitality of the Soviet system
  • Stalin assumed the role of Supreme Commander of the Military and became Chairman of the State of Defence Committee, which gave him absolute control over the military - however he still had to listen to advisors
  • Stalin removed generals who might turn on him/ get too much credit - e.g Zhukov
  • Use of terror, climate of fear
• Impact on Soviet foreign relations

  • Territorial gains
  • Sphere of influence
  • 'Iron Curtain' - led to Cold War