sec 3n hist (elec) chapter 5.3: germany's defeat (allied resistance)

Germany’s Defeat in WWIIUSA entry to warGermany’s weakness and mistakesAllied Resistance

"Great Britain provided time; the United States provided money and Soviet Russia provided blood."         - Stalin on the victory of the allies in WWII

What do you think was Soviet Union’s role in

winning the war?

Reorganisation of USSR22 June 1941, Hitler launched a surprise invasion of Soviet UnionAt that time, the Soviet Union were very unprepared for the invasionWithin three months the Soviets suffered casualties of 4 millionThe tide was turned slowly in 1943 as the SU got reorganised

Reorganisation of USSRRecall

Nazi-SovietNon Aggression

Pact

Reorganisation of USSR• Largely uninvolved at the start of WWII because

of the Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact• This changed with Hitler’s invasion of the USSR

in Operation Barbarossa in 1941, the Soviets were unprepared

• This was a devastating war for both Hitler and Stalin

• Russia was far stronger than Hitler had anticipated

• By the end of WWII, USSR had lost

52.7% of its army Did Germany make a big mistake in picking a fight with the USSR?

So what happened?Blitzkrieg tactics were designed to end conflict quickly. Not suitable for extended conflict (siege, large land mass).SU bore the brunt of German attack throughout WWII. It also defeated 80% of the German ArmyRussian Winter in 1941, 42 allowed the Red Army to reorganise and rebuild its economy and military productionSU had resources provided by the USA entry to war

British resilience and resistance

Hitler had never planned for a war with BritainHe hoped to discuss peace terms with ChurchillChurchill made it clear he would fight Germany to the end

Blitzkrieg relied on flexible deployment of land troops which cannot work against Britain (island)SO….. Hitler started bombing Britain

Battle of BritainSummer 1940, Germany attacked BritainBritain’s resources were dangerously stretchedGerman airforce attacked RAF (British Royal Air Force) radars, airfields and coastal defencesHitler changed focus to attack British cities hoping it would lower the morale of British citizens, BUT it did notRAF was able to recoverBy May 1941, Hitler shifted focus to Soviet Union

Resistance MovementNot prevalent until 1941 when Germany invaded SUNazi invasion and repression left most people too scared to think about resistanceCommunists were used to working underground and actively involve resisting the Nazis when SU was invadedMany joined Communist resistance movements which was encouraged by British and Soviet govt

Resistance MovementsDangerous workProvided vital informationProvided behind-the-lines support for Allies, sabotaged key Nazi installations