Stalinism in Wartime Flashcards Preview

Tsarist and Communist Russia > Stalinism in Wartime > Flashcards

Flashcards in Stalinism in Wartime Deck (26)
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1
Q

When and What was the Katyn Massacre?

A
  1. Mass executions of Polish Nationals by the NKVD. Severance of relations. Soviet Union broke off diplomatic engagements. Thought they were counter revolutionary.
2
Q

When and What was the war with Finland?

A

1939-40. Humiliating loss and questioned the Red Army. Lost lots of men. Provoked reorganization of the army. Didn’t win because Stalin had purged the leaders.

3
Q

What was the Nazi-Soviet pact?

A

Soviet gave Germany lots of produce and goods - drained the USSR. German gave very little back. Stalin didn’t want to break it and provoke war - thought Hitler wouldn’t attack.

4
Q

What relations did the Soviet Union have with foreign nations?

A

Britain and American diplomats warned Stalin about German Invasion. West feared Communism. Red Army in new territories to act as a buffer.

5
Q

What happened during the German Invasion in 1941?

A

Stalin ignored warnings - unprepared. Germans advanced quickly. Russia lost 3million men in 3months. Germans had lots of initial success and gained lots of territory.

6
Q

What was the issue with Nazi ideology in the Soviet?

A

Nazi’s exterminated Jews and Ethnic Minorities - this created resistance and the ‘scorched earth policy’.

7
Q

What was the political impact of the invasion?

A

Stalin caught by surprise. Purges of the Red Army had removed experience leaders. Lack of skill. Established ‘dual command’ - hindered combat. Stalin left.

8
Q

What was the economic impact of the invasion?

A

Deficiencies in the quantity and quality of the equipment. Aircrafts, guns and tanks of old design. Insufficient investment in the collective system meant not enough food.

9
Q

What was the social impact of the invasion?

A

People didn’t know who they were meant to support - psychological impact.

10
Q

Why did Stalin have good leadership?

A

Prepared to sack incompetent generals. Good strategy. Sense to make concessions in the regime.

11
Q

Why did Stalin have bad leadership?

A

It was the peoples spirit that allowed them to win. Didn’t address the public right away. No care for the lives of the soldiers.

12
Q

What was the Stavka?

A

Supreme Military Command. Responsible for all military planning, consisted off: Marshall’s of the Soviet Union, Chief of general of staff and heads of military services.

13
Q

What was the GKO?

A

State Defence Committee. Civilian body responsible for coordination and organisation. Authority over Party, Military and State etc. Directs wartime economy.

14
Q

Why did Stalin’s first speech make a difference?

A

It boosted morale and called for unity

15
Q

What wartime opposition did Stalin have?

A

No outright opposition. In National Minority areas some welcomed the German soldiers as liberators - known as collaborationsists. The Russian Liberation Movement - 50,000 soldiers fighting the Red Army.

16
Q

What was the impact of Nazi ideology?

A

Inconceivable that mere Slavs should be allowed to fight alongside Aryans. Failed to capitalise on support. Nazi brutality created partisan units.

17
Q

What Terror did Stalin use during the war?

A

Continued pre war terror tactics. Issued the order of Not One Step Backwards - soldiers who retreated to be shot. Set up blocking units equipped with machine guns to make sure no-one retreated.

18
Q

What were some of the Political Impacts of war?

A
  • Deported suspect ethnic groups
  • Stalin addressed for army grievances
  • Emphasis on political education of troops
  • Increasing numbers of the military joined the Party
  • Half of the Party Membership was military
  • War helped belief in the communist system
  • Stalin allowed generals to lead the army
19
Q

What were some of the Economic impacts of war?

A
  • German occupied territory contained: 63% coal, 68% iron, 58% steel and 45% of the railway
  • Scorched earth policy ruined farmland
  • 1523 Factories moved to the east
  • Industrial growth in Five Year Plans
  • New railways built or redirected
  • Focus on Heavy Industry and Military needs
  • Harsh punishments under martial law
  • 72hour week and strict rationing
  • UK and USA provided war materials
20
Q

What was the impact for Soldiers and Workers?

A
  • Central authorities stepped in to manage society
  • Dec. 1941 - all undrafted workers mobilised for war
  • Overtime obligatory and holidays suspended
  • 70-77 hour working week
  • Harsh punishments for lateness and absence
  • Army discipline tightened, offence to be captured
  • Shortage of food and starvation
  • Gulag labour used to build war supplies
21
Q

What was the impact for Propaganda and Culture?

A
  • Connotations on the ‘Great Patriotic War’
  • People encouraged to sacrifice themselves
  • Nationalism over socialism
  • More freedom for artists, writers and musicians
  • Churches were reopened to boost morale
22
Q

What was the impact for Women and Family?

A
  • Importance of family emphasised
  • Increase in taxes for those with less than two children
  • Abortion forbidden
  • Women expected to work and raise a large family
23
Q

What was the impact for Partisans?

A
  • Citizens and Red Army Soldiers found themselves behind the German lines during the invasion
  • Formed groups to carry out guerrilla tactics
24
Q

What was the effect of war on Stalin?

A

Turned him into a national superhero. Impossible to consider opposition by 1945. Emerged more paranoid - returning prisoners of war sent to labour camps. Persecuted ethnic minorities.

25
Q

What was the effect of war on Government?

A

Internationally recognized as a great military power. Retained and gained territory. Patriotism and nationalism gave a new sense of hope. Stalin did not support any idea of change and retained key posts.

26
Q

What was the effect of war on the People?

A

Huge loss of life (25million people), suffering and buildings destroyed. Sense of collective endeavor, nationalism and liberal thinking - hoped for change. Society open to Western influence.