The defeat of the Germans and Post-War reconstruction Flashcards
Why did the defeat of the Germans take an unexpectedly long time?
Victory was delayed by the insistence on Germany’s unconditional surrender by the Allies
Examples of cities liberated by Soviet forces during the race for Berlin?
Warsaw, Budapest, Prague and Vienna
What aided the Soviets in their race for Berlin?
On 27th March 1945, the Allied Supreme Commander Eisenhower gave an order for the Allied advance to be slowed down to let the Red Army reach Berlin first
(this was because he wanted to minimise casualties as much as possible)
When was the culmination of the race to Berlin?
The final battle for Berlin took place in April 1945, and General Zhukov used tactics that resulted in severe loss of life
Why was Stalin so desperate to control Berlin himself?
He wished to control as much of Central Europe and Germany as possible, to create a buffer zone against any future threats to the USSR
What was the symbol of Soviet victory in the GPW?
The storming of the Reichstag on 2nd May 1945
Reasons for the defeat of the Germans
Soviet strengths
German weaknesses
The contribution by the Allies
Stalin’s leadership
Reasons for the defeat of the Germans: Soviet strengths
Large geographical size and population (e.g. the USSR’s population of 171 million in 1941 was nearly three times greater than Germany’s). Vast size of Russia also meant a plethora of natural resources (such as oil).
Command economy well suited to conditions of war
Military strengths (e.g. expertise of Zhukov, night witches etc..)
Reasons for the defeat of the Germans: German weaknesses
Unable to achieve the rapid victory Hitler had hoped for
Alienated people in occupied territories (e.g. Babi Yar)
Crucial strategic mistakes (e.g. diverting personnel from the Caucuses to Stalingrad)
Reasons for the defeat of the Germans: contribution of the Allies
Bombing campaigns by the Allied forces from 1943 inflicted huge damage on the German war effort (e.g. Dresden destroyed in February 1945)
Vital military and economic support poured into the USSR
Reasons for the defeat of the Germans: Stalin’s leadership
1st July - important rallying speech
12th July - re-established Stavka with himself as Supreme Commander (August 1942 - stated that the Stavka would agree on strategy together)
By the end of the war, Zhukov and Vasilevsky called him ‘a real military commander’ and an ‘effective military co-ordinator’
Tehran and Yalta conferences - exploited the divisions between Roosevelt and Churchill, aiding him to achieve his aim of Soviet security
Example of Stalin allowing his generals some flexibility
December 1941 - sent Zhukov to save Moscow. His genius leadership sent the German advance back 100 miles
Autumn 1942 - ended the practice of commanders being executed for failure
Examples of skilled generals appointed to Stavka
Aleksandr Vasilevsky
Aleksei Antonov
Example of Stalin taking his generals’ advice
Listened to the advice of Stavka generals to decide his response to the imminent German offensive at Kursk
Implications of the Soviet victory in the GPW?
Established the USSR as a superpower
Territorial expansion
Which territories were incorporated into the USSR as a result of Soviet victory in the GPW?
The Baltic States and parts of East Prussia.
Was also able to establish many pro-Soviet regimes in East Central Europe
Examples of Soviet puppet states/Eastern Bloc states
Romania - a communist-led government was elected in 1945, which swiftly worked to eliminate their coalition partners.
By 1949, Hungary was a one-party communist state.
In 1944, a communist-dominated government was set up in Bulgaria, which was consolidated by 1945.
Example to show that the Soviet government did not have complete political control over its puppet states
The President of Yugoslavia, Tito, had no intention of taking orders from Stalin. Because of this, Yugoslavia was expelled from Cominform and other communist countries were encouraged to impose economic sanctions.
Negative consequences of the GPW
20 million Soviet citizens died (including more than 12 million civilians)
The war killed 1 in 8 of the population
What was implemented in 1946 to aid post-war reconstruction?
The Fourth Five-Year Plan
It set ambitious targets for industry and agriculture. One third of the plan’s expenditure was to be spent on Ukraine, one of the areas most devastated by war.
What happened to Germany in the aftermath of World War 2?
It was divided into four occupation zones. Although Berlin was miles behind Soviet lines, the city was also split into four, leading to recurrent disputes between the USSR and Western Allies.
Evidence of industry production stagnating during the war
Mining production was at less than half of the 1940 level, electric power at 52 percent and steel at 45 percent.
Many of these problems were intensified by the sudden ending of the Lend-Lease programme in August 1945
Was the fourth Five-Year Plan successful and why?
Yes - by 1950, there was a considerable industrial recovery
Due to war reparations, central planning and the committed efforts of the Soviet people.
How did war reparations impact industrial recovery in the USSR?
Huge amounts of equipment and materials were transported to the USSR, especially from the Soviet zone of occupation in Germany. Sometimes whole factories and their workforce were transported to Russia.
(minimal role - historian Davies estimates reparations to have only made up 1.5% of GNP)
