WW2

    Cards (11)

    • 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
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