Political Authority and the state of Russia In war Time(2) Flashcards
What weaknesses were there in the Russian Army and Stalin regarding Operation Barbarossa?
-Stalin was Naive- trusted all his efforts Nazi soviet Pact
=>Miscalculated when Germany would attack
-Military structure was weak due to purges
Was Russia ready for War?
Despite defence spending increasing from 16%–>32% (1941)
- . Purging of Red Army officers -> Weak military structure
- New Officers lacked expertise and experience
What impact did the War have on Stalinist policies?
1) ended mass terror
2) Allowed for the growth of state power (Party->State)
- -> Military activity more effectively coordinated
3)Stalin created the GKO, responsible for economic coordination
How did Stalin portray the threat of German invasion?
A threat to Russian culture, not a threat to socialism.
>Whipped up support via patriotism.
What were the costs of the great patriotic War?
-Lost 20 million lives
How did the USSR win WW2?
1) Soviet people showed Extraordinary sacrifice and endurance
- -> Propaganda–> Patriotism
2) Policy of Scorched Earth
3) German mistakes: Overstretching resources. ie oil shortages since 1942
4) Poor weather –> difficult for Germans to move
5) Land lease aid
What was the impact of the War on the economy/ industry?
-Land lease with U.S.A - equivalent to 10% of GDP
–> provided red Amy with food and transport and weaponry. (helped USSR)
=> 17.5 million tones of military equipment.
-Gov budget was geared towards the military ie 29% to 57% by 1942.
-Industrial production increased to 76% of all production.
=> Negatively impacted consumer goods
What was the political impact of the War?
-Stalin’s reputation soared in wartime
Stalin turned into a national superhero -Reflected by propaganda
-increase in Stalin’s paranoia due to suspicion of returning prisoners of War
What was the social impact of the War?
- reaffirmation to the importance of family- due to falling birthrate
- Women’s War effort - Over 1 Million in the Army
- increase in liberal thinking due western exposure
new law (1941) -> mobilised work force.=> help war effort.
- working hours increased to 12 hours. and discipline tightened
- food shortages.Starvation caused 25% of all soviet WW2 deaths.(25 mil)
- utilisation of gulag labour.
How much had Industry shrunk by the end of WW2?
66%
What were living conditions like after the War?
25 Million were homeless
1946, poor harvest compounded this issue
How did Stalin double down after world war two?
announce increase of economic output
What is significant about Marshals Voroshilov and Budenny?
-Marshals removed and replaced with of men of talent brought back from the gulags
Why did some Russians welcome the Germans?
-Could be seen as liberators after the harsh Stalinism of the 30’s
=> Especially by ethnic minorities
How can Stalin be seen continuing his terror tactics during the War?
Order 227: soldiers who tried to retreat or fall behind were shot on sight.
=>150,000 deaths
