o debate the key factor which allowed Russia to emerge victorious in WWII.

Question 1

PATRIOTISM

Answer 1

The role of Stalin in rallying the people. Refusal to leave Moscow, his later radio broadcasts; the “Not one step back” speech.
 References in Stalin’s speeches to “Comrades, Citizens, Brothers and Sisters” in order to instil patriotic duty in the people to fight in a ‘patriotic war of the people’.
 Stalin used Russian history and reference to victorious Russian Generals during the Napoleonic wars to appeal to the patriotic duty of the troops to defend their Motherland as their ancestors had done so.
 Stalin’s building up of sense of patriotism; eventual efficiency of War economy as a result of 1930s policies and loyalty to the Motherland and to Stalin.
 Role of propaganda and the new relationship with Orthodox Church, turning the negatives around eg rationing, conscription, loss of homes.
 References to “Mother Russia” in all broadcasts.
 Re-opening of the churches and emphasis on defending Russian soil from the invaders
being a ‘sacred duty’.
 Role of Sovinformburo for propaganda to enhance patriotic messages.
 Stalin became a symbol of resistance and hope for the people.

Question 2

STALINS LEADERSHIP

Answer 2

Stavka (General Staff) set up 23 June 1941 — responsible for military operations. On 30 June, GKO (State Committee of Defence) was set up, more important: military, political, economic life, highly centralised control.
 Stalin used “scorched earth policy” — nothing valuable left for the Germans if the Reds retreated. Gosplan (under Voznesensky) produced war plans, decisions went to small centralised GKO, met almost daily (Stalin was chairman).
 Stalin had able individuals such as Molotov (diplomacy), Voznesensky (economic planning), Kruschev (administration) and Zhukov (military). The latter commended Stalin on his readiness to learn about military strategy.
 Stalin was unwilling to believe that German forces were invading (despite intelligence reports from Fitin), ordering troops not to retaliate to “provocation” from German forces. The Wehrmacht enjoyed astounding successes during the summer of 1941, partly down to Stalin’s indecisiveness.
 Mistakes made in ruthless purging (especially in national groups) were compensated by his ability to command the loyalty of the nation to fight for “Mother Russia”.
 Stalin caught by surprise by Barbarossa in June 1941; suggestion of nervous breakdown, let Molotov make first war broadcast to Russian people.
 Stalin’s dreadful military mistakes early on in the war… Smolensk etc.
 Problems caused by the Red Army purge in the 1930s; able commanders like Tukhachevsky
purged.. 30,000 ‘missing’ officers from 1930s army.

Question 3

ECONOMIC

Answer 3

he relocation of industries to beyond the Urals (evacuation of approximately ten million people).
 Pre-war Industrial development through 5 Year Plans - Stalin saw war coming so prepared.
 The economic system was already suited to war because of established central planning,
unlike Germany which did not have total war economy until 1942.
 Economic stability attained, allowing the supply of the military with adequate material;
constant upgrading of the Red Army; opening up new fronts and Allied support.

Question 4

GERMAN WEAKNESS

Answer 4

ealing with the Russian climate and land mass meant Germans were overstretched and could not apply the same tactics as in France, and so errors occurred — this altered the focus of the offensive and delayed the attack on Moscow.
 General Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus’ German Sixth Army failed to capture Stalingrad and became trapped and overrun by the Soviets, as Hitler refused to let them retreat.
 Effects of Allied bombing of Germany; Allied invasion in the West.
 German General Bock admitted “no further hope of strategic successes” remained.

Question 5

R SAKWA

Answer 5

notes that Stalin “appeal(ed) to Russian pride rather than Marxism or Leninism as inspiration for resistance.”

Question 6

R LAVER

Answer 6

highlights the establishment of a command economy and to galvanise support for “Mother Russia”.

Question 7

E MAWDSLEY

Answer 7

“The resources lavished in the 1930s on technical education and military research and development paid off, with the development of equipment which was as good as that of the Germans, in some cases superior, and in all cases available in larger numbers.”

Question 8

C WARD

Answer 8

notes the economic, military and the political, but also points out the importance of the social factors – the people’s ear; also notes Hitler’s blunders.