Stalin, Krushchev Political Authority 41-64 Flashcards
What initial effect did the World War II have on Stalin?
Initially ignored intelligence reports of imminent German invasion
When reports of of large German advance into USSR didn’t believe it (rumour he shot the person who broke news)
319 Red Army units destroyed in first 4 weeks
Stalin fled Moscow for country home (Dacha) - nervous breakdown/exhaustion?
Politburo begged him to return (political system totally dependent on him)
One week later Stalin returned
Made 9 public speeches throughout war
- July 3rd 1941 speech had big impact
“Comrades! Citizens! Brothers! Fighters of our Army and Fleet! I address you, my friends”
Emphasised patriotic duty
Made another speech later in 1941 with gunshot sound in background- government left Moscow but Stalin remained
What happened in initial stages of war under Stalin?
Ignored intelligence
Didn’t believe invasion
Fled Moscow
Returned
Speeches
Appointed self as SUPREME MILITARY COMMANDER
Initial strategy to launch counter-attacks instead of tactical withdrawals disastrous (6m killed or captured by end 1941)
Even in Spring 42 persisted with counter-attacks - helped Germans advance to outskirts of Stalingrad in South
Unlike Hitler, learnt lessons. Listened to generals (most influential Vasilevsky and Zhukov- Deputy Supreme Commander)
Vasilevsky and Zhukov planned successful counterattack at Stalingrad - convinced Stalin of plans
Stalin recognised importance of promoting on ability instead of most loyal
What was the effect of war on USSR government?
In June 41 Stalin established Council for State Defence (GKO)
Replaced Central Committee and Politburo as entity managing the war effort
Stalin was chairman of GKO and the chairman of Stavka (the supreme military command)
Secured his political dominance
Beria remained head of NKVD
July 41 Order 227- NKVD officers behind front line- shoot deserters/ those that retreated (13,000 killed in just a few weeks)
Order 270 - anyone surrendering considered a traitor - faced death penalty
NKVD killed thousands in Ukraine in response to stories of Ukrainians welcoming German invasion
Propaganda big role in war- cult of personality further promoted- boosted confidence in Stalin’s ability to lead to victory
End of war Stalin seen as hero- poetry songs, posters and paintings
Stalin became more paranoid of where threats lay- continued terror
War led to more military members
During war communist party membership swelled by 3.6m new members (2.5 from armed forces)
By 1945 1/4 of armed forces members - totalling 50% of all membership
Strengthened bond between party, state and military
What opposition was there to the Soviet regime during war?
No organised opposition during war
However millions welcomed invading Germans (save from harsh Stalin rule). Many from nationalist minorities in the West - such as Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) as well as Ukraine and Belarus.
Opposition collaborators:
1) Enthusiastic volunteers- 250,000 Cossacks+ Russian Liberation movement (Ukraine) 50,000 men fighting for the Germans as part of Waffen Ss
2) Prisoners or deserters who joined German forces - not often given combat duties- drivers, cooks, messengers, hospital staff
3) Russian prisoners forced to carry out menial tasks - cleaning kitchens/stables
Collaborators obviously treated harshly
What was the Economic impact of the war?
Centralised command structure of economy proved well suited to rapid decisions needed in war
1.5m railway wagon-loads of industrial plant and machinery moved from West to beyond Ural Mountains (10% productive capacity)
3500 new factories created
Thousands of others re-purposed to armaments, tanks, planes
Soviet factories producing more than Germans by 1943
Mass production techniques evolved- hours to produce T-34 tank halved during war.
Soviet armaments effective in the war. T-34 superior to Panzer tanks and Yak-1 fighter plane regarded well
There were, however, negative issues with Soviet industry - good quantity, but quality poor-Soviet aircraft dreadful safety record and Soviet landmines considered very dangerous to handle.
Countryside stripped of men, horses and machinery 80% agricultural workers women
Only soldiers and essential manual labourers guaranteed food
Lend-lease - USSR needed support from both Britain and America through this. In 43 and 44 10% of gdp was from lend-lease (94% of that from USA)
What was the economic damage caused by the war?
Western region of USSR suffered worst. Scorched earth of both Red army retreat and German retreats devastated area.
USSR lost:
1700 towns
70,000 villages
31,000 factories
65,000km railway track
40% agricultural output
