Defeat of the Germans Flashcards
Terms of the fall of Berlin
Took longer than expected as Allies demanded total German surrender, Russians suffer casualties as Stalin order all out offensives on cities liberated along the way e.g. Warsaw, wanted to win the race for Berlin, Eisenhower wanted to avoid more casualties or clashes so ordered Allies to slow advance and let them win.
Final battle for Berlin
Germans weakened by bombing e.g. Dresden, Soviets meet up with American forces, Zhukov lead final battle which led to heavy losses, but taking Berlin also for Stalin’s political reasons, wanted as much control of a buffer zone to future threats, stormed Reichstag May 1945.
Reasons for defeat of the Germans: Soviet strengths
Huge size of USSR, single knockout blow impossible and overstretched lines of communication.
Population three times greater than Germany’s, could replace losses.
Natural resources such as oil, by 1943 out producing German industry.
Centralised economy worked well in war setting.
Leadership ruthlessly effective.
Soviet women in war
2 million served in the armed forces, many snipers, ‘night witches’ 23 received Hero of the Soviet Union award, like Marina Raskova, important medics and signallers 40% of front line doctors were women, 56% of the home workforce by 1945.
Reasons for defeat of the Germans: German weaknesses
Rapid initial victory failed.
Had to fight two-front war.
Lacked self-sufficiency in resources.
Sacked many of best generals.
Alienated Russian population.
Reasons for defeat of the Germans: the Allies
Prevented focus on war in the East.
Mass bombings weakened German resources.
Secret intelligence undermine war effort.
Military and economic aid to Russia.
Estimated casualties from war
7.5 million in armed forces and estimated 12 million civilians, over 5 million taken as POWs, many killed.
First steps in economic recovery
August 1945 Gosplan preparing a new Five Year Plan, ambitious targets, one third expenditure plan to be spent on Ukraine.
Industrial effects of war
War weaken considerably, 32 000 factories destroyed, by 1946 electric power was at 52% the 1940 level, problems intensified by ending of lend-lease.
Success of 4th Five Year Plan
Many targets met or exceeded, due to war reparations especially from soviet occupied parts of Germany, central planning, economy very resilient and saw ‘rebound effect’ after 1946. Steady growth in consumer goods and living standards, by 1948 incomes at 1938 levels.
Enduring problems of industry
Too much military expenditure, increased after cold war, 25% of total expenditure by 1952, housing shortage.
War effects on agriculture
nearly 98 000 collective farms ruined, food production 60% of 1940 level, famine began in 1946 in Ukraine mainly due to lack of labour and machinery combined with severe drought.
Agricultural recovery under 4th Five Year Plan
Some improvement but failed to reach most its targets, production of grain and potatoes etc. didn’t recover to 1940 levels by Stalin’s death, he published ‘Economic Problems of Socialism in the USSR’ in 1952, discouraging change to system, reforms only after his death.
