Operation Barbarossa – The most important event in WWII
Operation Barbarossa was the most important event in World War Two (WWII) as it triggered a chain of influential events. Operation Barbarossa effected international political affairs and had various social consequences, ultimately resolving the war. Operation Barbarossa was a major turning point in WWII resulting in the allies’ victory and British military strengthening, hence concluding the war. The change in international views secured the USSR’s global domination and downfall of Germany. Social consequences and socio-ethic changes were due to the USSR’s victory over Germany in Operation Barbarossa which was more prominent than any other WW2 result. Operation Barbarossa was therefore …show more content…
The tactical mistake of Operation Barbarossa was thought to be a Blitzkrieg or ‘lightning war’ as explained in ‘Inside the Third Reich’, “You only have to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down – Hitler” (Speer, 1984). Supporters of Nazi Germany expected a quick victory, as written in Joseph Goebbels’s diary entry (see appendix 2). Germany was seen as unbeatable - as evident in Macha Rolnika’s diary (see appendix 3) where she expressed her fear towards the Nazis - hence their loss to the USSR stripped Germany of its dignity and optimism. The USSR’s relations with Germany deteriorated the moment Operation Barbarossa began with the break in the non-aggression pact (see appendix 4). Weaker nations such as Belgium were fearful that the USSR’s strength might threaten their independence. In 1948 Belgium’s Foreign Affairs Minister presented the speech ‘Why We Fear Russia’ (see appendix 5). Whereas the US’s view of the USSR improved due to the tremendous war effort displayed. This was alliterated in Vice-President Henry Wallace’s speech, ‘Our Friendship to Russia’ (see appendix 6). Following Operation Barbarossa, the success of the allies depended on shared resources and strategies, deepening the USSR’s affairs with Britain and France through increased collaboration. Operation Barbarossa shifted the power from Britain and Germany to the USSR as it had greater …show more content…
Operation Barbarossa was the most substantial attack in WWII with the most devastating and memorable consequences (see appendix 7). In excess of 25 million casualties (Secondworldwarhistory.com, 2016), Operation Barbarossa affected all axis affiliated countries and the USSR notably, in particular Germany. A radio broadcast in 1943 describes the consequences Stalingrad had on Germany and how it will be remembered (see appendix 8) The Battle of Stalingrad proved to be the most destructive of the conflict with an estimated one million deaths over the 199 day battle. Nazi forces blamed the Jewish for their loss, worsening the holocaust and causing thousands of executions as said by Hitler, “We shall regain our health by eliminating the Jew” (Hitler, 1942). The USSR’s victory encouraged the embracement of communism. ‘Communism and the Cold War’ visualises the 25% increase in global communism from 1948 to 1953 (Edminson, 2015). Some people were fearful of the USSR, others planted trust in the system that had defeated Germany. In turn, the Cold War began but with dissimilar tactics to Germany’s Blitzkrieg in Operation Barbarossa as they proved to be unpredictable. Considering Operation Barbarossa was the primary cause for the end of WWII most events after were impacted, justifying the historical and political
Operation Barbarossa was the most important event in World War Two (WWII) as it triggered a chain of influential events. Operation Barbarossa effected international political affairs and had various social consequences, ultimately resolving the war. Operation Barbarossa was a major turning point in WWII resulting in the allies’ victory and British military strengthening, hence concluding the war. The change in international views secured the USSR’s global domination and downfall of Germany. Social consequences and socio-ethic changes were due to the USSR’s victory over Germany in Operation Barbarossa which was more prominent than any other WW2 result. Operation Barbarossa was therefore …show more content…
The tactical mistake of Operation Barbarossa was thought to be a Blitzkrieg or ‘lightning war’ as explained in ‘Inside the Third Reich’, “You only have to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down – Hitler” (Speer, 1984). Supporters of Nazi Germany expected a quick victory, as written in Joseph Goebbels’s diary entry (see appendix 2). Germany was seen as unbeatable - as evident in Macha Rolnika’s diary (see appendix 3) where she expressed her fear towards the Nazis - hence their loss to the USSR stripped Germany of its dignity and optimism. The USSR’s relations with Germany deteriorated the moment Operation Barbarossa began with the break in the non-aggression pact (see appendix 4). Weaker nations such as Belgium were fearful that the USSR’s strength might threaten their independence. In 1948 Belgium’s Foreign Affairs Minister presented the speech ‘Why We Fear Russia’ (see appendix 5). Whereas the US’s view of the USSR improved due to the tremendous war effort displayed. This was alliterated in Vice-President Henry Wallace’s speech, ‘Our Friendship to Russia’ (see appendix 6). Following Operation Barbarossa, the success of the allies depended on shared resources and strategies, deepening the USSR’s affairs with Britain and France through increased collaboration. Operation Barbarossa shifted the power from Britain and Germany to the USSR as it had greater …show more content…
Operation Barbarossa was the most substantial attack in WWII with the most devastating and memorable consequences (see appendix 7). In excess of 25 million casualties (Secondworldwarhistory.com, 2016), Operation Barbarossa affected all axis affiliated countries and the USSR notably, in particular Germany. A radio broadcast in 1943 describes the consequences Stalingrad had on Germany and how it will be remembered (see appendix 8) The Battle of Stalingrad proved to be the most destructive of the conflict with an estimated one million deaths over the 199 day battle. Nazi forces blamed the Jewish for their loss, worsening the holocaust and causing thousands of executions as said by Hitler, “We shall regain our health by eliminating the Jew” (Hitler, 1942). The USSR’s victory encouraged the embracement of communism. ‘Communism and the Cold War’ visualises the 25% increase in global communism from 1948 to 1953 (Edminson, 2015). Some people were fearful of the USSR, others planted trust in the system that had defeated Germany. In turn, the Cold War began but with dissimilar tactics to Germany’s Blitzkrieg in Operation Barbarossa as they proved to be unpredictable. Considering Operation Barbarossa was the primary cause for the end of WWII most events after were impacted, justifying the historical and political