18.3 The Soviet Union by June 1941

Question 1

Why was Nazi Germany a threat to Russia?

Answer 1

They were planning to invade

Question 2

What did Russia do in response to the threat from Nazi Germany?

Answer 2

• Created a pact

- Increased military spending from 16.5% in 1937 to 32.6% in 1940

Question 3

When did Nazi Germany invade Russia and with how many soldiers?

++ was Russia ready

Answer 3

3 million troops arrived on the 22nd June 1941

++No!

Question 4

Why did the state of the Russian army mean that it was not prepared for WW2? (3)

Answer 4

• 1936-38 there had be considerable purges within the army which had removed most of the competent officers
• A lack of military initiative which had already been seen in the Winter War with Finland 1939-40
• Dual command of military units - brought back political commissars (increased party power but officers were pretty clueless)

Question 5

How did the state of the Russian economy show that it was not prepared for WW2? (2)

Answer 5

• Moving towards the 3rd 5 year plan but there were deficiencies in the quality and quantity of equipment
• There had been an increase in equipment produced like 100k rifles/month but this had detracted from investment in food so there were shortages

Question 6

Why was Russia not psychologically prepared for WW2?

Answer 6

Soviet troops were expected to fight their former allies as there had been lots of ‘Soviet-Germany friendship’ propaganda

Question 7

3 overarching reasons why Russia was not prepared for WW2?

Answer 7

• Weak army
• Weak economic position
• Not psychologically prepared to fight former allies