Stalinism in Wartime

Question 1

When and What was the Katyn Massacre?

Answer 1

1940. Mass executions of Polish Nationals by the NKVD. Severance of relations. Soviet Union broke off diplomatic engagements. Thought they were counter revolutionary.

Question 2

When and What was the war with Finland?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

What was the Nazi-Soviet pact?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What relations did the Soviet Union have with foreign nations?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What happened during the German Invasion in 1941?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What was the issue with Nazi ideology in the Soviet?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What was the political impact of the invasion?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What was the economic impact of the invasion?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What was the social impact of the invasion?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Why did Stalin have good leadership?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Why did Stalin have bad leadership?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What was the Stavka?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What was the GKO?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Why did Stalin’s first speech make a difference?

Answer 14

It boosted morale and called for unity

Question 15

What wartime opposition did Stalin have?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

What was the impact of Nazi ideology?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What Terror did Stalin use during the war?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

What were some of the Political Impacts of war?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

What were some of the Economic impacts of war?

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

What was the impact for Soldiers and Workers?

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

What was the impact for Propaganda and Culture?

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

What was the impact for Women and Family?

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

What was the impact for Partisans?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What was the effect of war on Stalin?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

What was the effect of war on Government?

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

What was the effect of war on the People?

Answer 26

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.