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{{mediawiki:Kindleoasis}}__NOTOC__[[File: MolotovStalin and Ribbentrop.jpg|thumbnail|280px230px|left|Stalin and Ribbentrop after signing pact 1939.]]This article will discuss the response of Joseph Stalin reacted extremely slowly to the invasion of his country by German forces in 1940. The Soviet leader will be shown to have responded very Indeed, not only did he react slowly to the Nazi invasion and indeed that , but he also ignored warnings that the Germans planned to attack his country. Stalin's response to the Nazi German invasion has perplexed historians for many years. It seems that the Soviet Leader had placed his trust in Hitler and this almost led to the defeat of the Soviet Union. The article will show that Stalin's response to Hitler's invasion was slow and disorganized especially in the first days of the war. Stalin's response was so slow and ineffective because he had made the fatal mistake of trusting Hitler. However, Stalin was to take charge of the situation and he made changes to his military and diplomatic policy that at first slowed the German advance and then stopped it before Moscow in December 1941.

====Background====[[How Joseph Stalin became the leader of the Soviet Union|Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin ]] ruled over the Soviet Union between 1920 and 1953 acting as the supreme leader of the USSR. Holding the post of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, he was effectively the dictator of the state. Stalin introduced his own highly centralized command economy, launching a period of industrialization and collectivization that resulted in the rapid transformation of the USSR from an agrarian society into an industrial global power. Between 1934 and 1939 Stalin mercilessly carried out a series of massive political extra-judicial executions, known as the Great Purge, of major Communist Party and government rival figures as well as many Red Army high commanders without any proper trials - all convicted of alleged treason or considered a threat. These “enemies of the working class” were imprisoned, exiled, sent to forced labor camps or executed, without due process.In the meantime, Germany revitalized under Adolf Hitler’s leadership, worked to revise the post-World War I organizational structure of Europe, imposed by the United States, England, and France. Hitler and Stalin seemed to be natural enemies. Hitler loathed the Communists and Stalin publically denounced the Nazis. The two regimes were ideological enemies and it seemed to many observers that a war between the two was inevitable at some stage. <ref>Boobbyer, Phillip <i>The Stalin Era</i> (Routledge, London, 2000),p. 178</ref>

In the meantime, Germany revitalized under Adolf Hitler’s leadership, worked to revise the post-World War I organizational structure of Europe, imposed by the United States, England, and France. While Germany and the USST appeared to be natural enemies. [[How did Adolf Hitler become the Fuehrer of Germany?|Adolf Hitler]] loathed the Communists and Stalin publicly denounced the National Socialist Party. The two regimes were ideological enemies and it seemed to many observers that a war between the two was inevitable at some stage. <ref>Boobbyer, Phillip <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415182980/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415182980&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=be2a9195cf0017e9147f778e95d45fbe The Stalin Era]</i> (Routledge, London, 2000),p. 178</ref> ====The Molotov–Ribbentrop Non-Aggression Pact====[[File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-1984-1206-523,_Berlin,_Verabschiedung_MolotowsMolotov.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Ribbentrop and Molotov in Berlin, 1940]]After the Nazis National Socialist Party rose to power in Germany in 1933, relations between Germany and the Soviet Union, as the two sworn enemy regimes, began to deteriorate rapidly, and trade between the two countries decreased and almost froze. The Soviet Union had generally good relations with the Weimar Republic.<ref> Boobyer, p 198</ref> Following several years of tension and rivalry, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union eventually began to improve relations in 1939. The German economy thrived by exporting manufactured goods and industrial equipment around the world in exchange for importing raw materials. On the other hand, the USSR was still an agrarian state. While it was rich in natural resources, it was struggling to transition to an more industrial economy. The Soviets were forced to purchase and import more than half of the necessary factory machinery from the United States. The pact was appealing to both Stalin and Hitler the two leaders because they were both at odds with the West. Driven by their mutual resentment for the West, the USSR 's and Nazi Germany 's interests briefly aligned and they moved towards [[The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact- Stalin’s greatest mistake?|German-Soviet cooperation and an alliance]].

After the Soviet Union's negotiations feel apart with Britain and France, Stalin turned to Germany. As a result, on the 23rd of August 1939, the Soviet Union entered into a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany. The pact, known as [http://dailyhistory.org/The_Molotov-Ribbentrop_Pact-_Stalin%E2%80%99s_greatest_mistake%3F Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact], was named after the leadership of the USSR 's and Nazis Germany's foreign affairs political figures at the time. This Hitler allayed his fears of a two front war in Europe. Moreover, Stalin and Hitler signed numerous secret protocols dividing the entire territory of Eastern Europe into Soviet and Nazi German spheres of influence. The Soviets would recover eastern Poland, formerly part of Imperial Russia. The Germans also supported the USSR's claims on Bessarabia (eastern part of Romania) and agreed to define Eastern Europe's Baltic (Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania) and Balkan states as belonging to the Soviet “sphere of interest.” Furthermore, after signing the pact, the countries rapidly expanded their economic relationship by entering into a commercial agreement whereby the Soviet Union sent critical raw materials and ingredients to Germany in exchange for weapons, military technology, civilian and manufacturing machinery. Thereafter, Germany received significant amounts of petroleum, grain, rubber and manganese, all necessary for its future war efforts.

====Germany' Violation of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact====[[File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1974-099-19,_Russland,_Angriff_auf_ein_Dorf.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|German Troops in the Soviet Union in 1941]]The two dictators signed secret protocols dividing central Europe between Stalin and Hitler, it effectively let both the USSR and the NAZIS Germany to invade freely countries listed within their “spheres of influence”. However, the agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union was not sustainable and ultimately set the stage for the Eastern Front of the World War II. Still, the initial improving relations with Germany meant that the Soviet Union could expand its territory in Eastern Europe unmolested into places such as the Baltic States. Stalin believed that his understanding with Hitler would last and he became complacent.<ref> Montefiore, Simon Sebag. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400076781/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400076781&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=eb9848bd0a98d402c5a3cab783e1108d Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar]''. (London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003), p. 117</ref>

==Operation Barbarossa== In addition Once the Soviets seized a generous portion of Eastern Europe, they also tried to weakness the Soviet's showed in invade Finland. Despite being tremendously outnumbered and outgunned, Hitler had also been alarmed by the Soviet Union's seizure Finns improvised a defense and made the best of part of Romaniathe terrain and the ferocious winter weather. At the same time, the German army conquered France without suffering appreciable losses and the British withdrew from the continent. He was concerned that Stalin would target The Germans were astonished at how badly the Soviets performed against the oil fields in RomaniaFinns. These oil fields are vital This struggle encouraged Germany to attack the German war effortUSSR. Hitler moved divisions into Poland and Germany determined that they could defeat Stalin in December 1940 issued a directive for rapid campaign ([[How Did the invasion of German Military Develop Blitzkrieg?|Blitzkrieg]]) before turning their sights to Brits in the Soviet Union, codenamed Operation Barbarossawest. <ref>The pact between Hitler and Stalin that paved the way for World War II was warned by several sources of the imminent threat of a Nazi invasionsigned 75 years ago - http://www. The Germans actions had been monitored by Soviet Intelligencepri. Stalin refused to believe itorg/stories/2014- instead, he continued to assume that Hitler would abide by the Molotov08-Ribbentrop 21/pact.-between-hitler-and-stalin-paved-way-world-war-ii-was-signed-75-years-ago</ref>

====Operation Barbarossa==== [[File:Barb_2.jpg|thumbnail|325px|left|German soldier in front of BT-7 Panzer tank in Ukraine in 1941]]In addition to weakness the early morning of 22 June 1941Soviet's showed in Finland, Hitler officially violated the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and invaded Germany had also been alarmed by the Soviet Union's seizure of part of Romania.<ref> Montefiore, p. 245</ref> Historians claim Germany was concerned that Stalin was stunned by would target the invasion and refused oil fields in Romania. These oil fields were vital to accept the news was true. The Soviet leader had also ignored all warnings from the US, British governments and even his own intelligence officersGerman war effort. Economic and diplomatic relations between the USSR and Germany rapidly deteriorated moved several armored divisions into Poland and were abruptly terminated. The Soviets were not prepared in December 1940 issued a directive for a war against Germany. The Red Army troops were scattered and dispersed among several fronts. Furthermore, Stalin’s purges the invasion of army officers in the 1930s had crippled the Soviet military machineUnion, codenamed Operation Barbarossa. During Stalin was warned by several sources of the early days imminent threat of the war the Red Army lacked trustworthy and skillful generals and suffered several disastrous lossesa German invasion. The Red Army ultimately allowed Nazi troops to almost reach the Kremlin gatesGermans actions had been monitored by Soviet Intelligence. <ref>Joseph Stalin and World War II refused to believe it- http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-stalin</ref> The German assault on the Soviet Union was wildly successful. During instead, he early weeks of Operation Barbarossa, continued to assume that Germany averaged gains of 50 miles a day. This rapid advance was abetted would abide by the lack of direction from Stalin. For some time, the Red Army languished without any direction from Stalin.<ref> Montefiore, pMolotov-Ribbentrop pact. 245</ref>

==Theories on Stalin's Inactivity==There are several theories on why Stalin should have reacted so slowly to In the early morning of 22 June 1941, Germany officially violated the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and invaded the invasionSoviet Union.<ref> Montefiore, p. Some have speculated 245</ref> Historians claim that Stalin was so shocked stunned by the invasion and refused to accept the betrayal by Hitler that he went into a state of shocknews was true. Some believe that such was his despair that Stalin retreated away The Soviet leader had also ignored all warnings from the world unable to face the magnitude of US, British governments and even his mistake own intelligence officers. Economic and diplomatic relations between the consequences USSR and Germany rapidly deteriorated and were abruptly terminated. The Soviets were not prepared for a war against Germany. The Red Army troops were scattered and dispersed among several fronts. Furthermore, Stalin’s purges of his error army officers in trusting Hitlerthe 1930s had crippled the Soviet military machine. He had assumed that Hitler would abide by During the terms early days of the non-aggression pact of 1939. Some historians have even suggested that Stalin war the Red Army lacked trustworthy and skillful generals and suffered some kind of nervous breakdown. Another, less popular theory is that Stalin deliberately withdrew from the scene, to avoid being ousted from powerseveral disastrous losses. When he saw that no one was about to challenge his authority he decided The Red Army ultimately allowed German troops to take control of almost reach the situationKremlin gates. <ref>Bellamy, Chris, Absolute Joseph Stalin and World WarII - http: //www.history.com/topics/joseph-stalin</ref> The German assault on the Soviet Russia in Union was wildly successful. During he early weeks of Operation Barbarossa, Germany averaged gains of 50 miles a day. This rapid advance was abetted by the Second World Warlack of direction from Stalin. New York: Alfred AFor some time, the Red Army languished without any direction from Stalin. Knopf & Random House.2007)<ref> Montefiore, p. 53245</ref>

====Theories on Stalin leads the fightback's Inactivity====However, within weeks There are several theories on why Stalin manage should have reacted so slowly to recover from the shock and called for reinforcementsinvasion. Although German troops had made huge advances into the heartlands of Some have speculated that Stalin was so shocked by the Soviet Union invasion and the rest betrayal by Hitler that he went into a state of the government had been evacuated shock. Some believe that such was his despair that Stalin retreated away from Moscow, Stalin remained in the Kremlin and begun world unable to take control face the magnitude of his mistake and the country’s ailing military infrastructureconsequences of his error in trusting Hitler. As German troops approached He had assumed that Hitler would abide by the terms of the Soviet capital non-aggression pact of Moscow, 1939. Some historians have even suggested that Stalin directed a devastating defensive policysuffered some kind of nervous breakdown. Another, destroying any supplies or infrastructure less popular theory is that might benefit Stalin deliberately withdrew from the enemyscene, to avoid being ousted from power. Fresh competent USSR military commanders loyal When he saw that no one was about to Stalin were allowed challenge his authority he decided to take control of important strategic positions and military divisionsthe situation. <ref>Bellamy, p. 117Chris, <i>[https://ref> This scorched earth tactic was to deny the Germans key supplieswww. This was particularly the case as the German supply lines had become extended and the men at the front did not receive the supplies that they neededamazon. The policy of destroying the infrastructure and anything else that could be utilized by the Germans caused immense suffering on the com/gp/product/0375724710/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375724710&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4af9160f8751b9120921c7982235532a Absolute War: Soviet civilian population, however, it slowed down the German advance. Stalin's policy contributed to the failure of the German army to take Moscow Russia in the early winter of 1941.Second World War]<ref/i>Bellamy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf & Random House.2007), p.11253</ref>

====Stalin reorganizes leads the Armyfightback====After some However, within weeks Stalin manage to recover from the shock and called for reinforcements. Although German troops had made huge advances into the heartlands of inactivity, the Supreme Soviet leader personally took control Union and the rest of the situation. government had been evacuated from Moscow, Stalin dominated remained in the army Kremlin and he had placed men in key positions not based upon their ability but based on their personal allegiance begun to himtake control of the country’s ailing military infrastructure. The supreme As German troops approached the Soviet leader was very afraid capital of Moscow, Stalin directed a devastating defensive policy, destroying any supplies or infrastructure that if he gave too much independence might benefit the enemy. Fresh competent USSR military commanders loyal to the armyStalin were allowed to take control of important strategic positions and military divisions. <ref>Bellamy, that p. 117</ref> This scorched earth tactic denied the Generals would remove him from powerGermans key supplies. After This was particularly the invasion of case as the Soviet German supply lines had become extended and the poor leadership shown by many Generals, he adopted a new policy he promoted men of ability to positions of authority in at the front did not receive the armed forces, such as Zhukovsupplies that they needed. This greatly improved the leadership The policy of destroying the Red Army infrastructure and allowed anything else that could be utilized by the Germans caused immense suffering to the Soviet civilian population. However, it to be more effective against dramatically slowed the Nazi armiesGerman advance. Stalin also reorganized the Soviet Army's High Command. He established policy contributed to the Stavka, this provided failure of the Red Army with the leadership it needed German army to take Moscow in the life or death struggle with the Germans. Stalin supervised Stavka closely, but he also gave his Generals more authorityearly winter of 1941. <ref>Stalin's Role in WWII - http://yesterday.uktv.coBellamy, p.uk/warzone/article/stalins-role-wwii/112</ref>.

====Stalin also sought to raise reorganizes the Army====After the fighting morale invasion of the troops. He well knew that many ordinary Soviet citizens were still Russian nationalists at heart and venerated the Orthodox Churchpoor leadership shown by many Generals, he adopted a new policy he promoted men of ability to positions of authority in the armed forces, such as Zhukov. In order to improve This greatly improved the morale leadership of the army Red Army and their loyalty, he promoted Russian nationalism, even though as a Communist he was ideologically opposed allowed it to nationalismbe more effective against the German armies. FurthermoreStalin also reorganized the Soviet Army's High Command. He established the Stavka, he stopped persecuting this provided the Orthodox Church. These measures made Stalin popular Red Army with the army and raised leadership it needed in the morale of life or death struggle with the troopsGermans. Stalin supervised Stavka closely, but he also gave his Generals more authority. This stiffened their resistance to the invasion of the Russian 'Motherland'<ref> Zhukov, Georgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E., Salisbury, Marshal Zhukov"Stalin's Greatest Battles (New YorkRole in WWII" - http: Harper & Row, 1969), p//yesterday.uktv.co. 116uk/warzone/article/stalins-role-wwii/</ref>.

==Alliance with Stalin also sought to raise the West== As fighting morale of the German invasion of Russia progressed. Stalin contacted Western diplomats requesting two agreementstroops. He aimed well knew that many ordinary Soviet citizens were still Russian nationalists at reaching a mutual assistance/aid pact heart and a recognition that after venerated the war Orthodox Church. In order to improve the Soviet Union would gain morale of the territories in countries that it would take war actions against Hitler on the Eastern front. Winston Churchill army and their loyalty, he promoted Russian nationalism, even though as a Communist he was very willing ideologically opposed to have an alliance with Stalinnationalism. Even though He was an ardent anti-communist and Furthermore, he personally disliked Stalin. He agreed to support the Soviets in their battle with stopped persecuting the GermansOrthodox Church. Churchill pithy states when criticized for allying Britain These measures made Stalin popular with the Soviets 'I would become army and raised the devils' ally if Hitler invaded Hell'. Stalin's diplomatic moves in morale of the aftermath of Operation Barbarossa was shrewdtroops. It allowed him This stiffened their resistance to receive the support invasion of first the British and later the AmericansRussian 'Motherland.'<ref> BeevorZhukov, pGeorgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E. 34</ref>. the British began to supply the Soviets with arms and other supplies, via Iran and the Antartic. Stalin's diplomatic response to the invasion of his country was to become the ally of his ideological rivalsSalisbury, the western democracies<refi>Stalin's Role in WWII - http[https://yesterdaywww.uktvamazon.co.ukcom/gp/warzoneproduct/article0356029239/stalinsref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0356029239&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-role-wwii20&linkId=422ccd38a753dde5fbe26d0486b12cb8 Marshal Zhukov's Greatest Battles]</i> (New York: Harper & Row, 1969), p. 116</ref>.

==Conclusion==Alliance with the West====As the German invasion of Russia progressed. Stalin made contacted Western diplomats requesting two agreements. He aimed at reaching a potentially fatal mistake mutual assistance/aid pact and recognition that after the war the Soviet Union would gain the territories in trusting countries that it would take war actions against Hitler on the Eastern front. [[How did Winston Churchill become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in World War Two?|Winston Churchill]] was very willing to ally with Stalin. Even though He was an ardent anti-communist and when he personally disliked Stalin. He agreed to support the Soviets in their battle with the Germans. When criticized for aligning with Stalin, Churchill stated he "would become the Germandevils" ally." Stalin's invaded he seemed to have been diplomatic moves in a state the aftermath of shockOperation Barbarossa was shrewd. This meant that his response It allowed him to receive the invasion was slow support of first the British and this allowed the Germans to make great inroads into his country until the Communists seemed on later the verge of defeatAmericans. Stalin soon took charge and adopted new tactics<ref> Belamy, p. Crucially he reorganized 34</ref> The British began to supply the army, raised its morale and entered into a new alliance Soviets with the west. These decisions proved crucial arms and delayedsupplies, via Iran and eventually stopped the German advance and in Antarctic. Stalin's diplomatic response to the long run, Stalin invasion of his country was able to defeat become the Nazi armyally of his ideological rivals, the western democracies.<ref>Stalin's Role in WWII - http://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/warzone/article/stalins-role-wwii/</ref>

==References==Conclusion====<references/>Stalin made a potentially fatal mistake in trusting Hitler and when the German's invaded he seemed to have been in a state of shock. This meant that his response to the invasion was slow and this allowed the Germans to make great inroads into his country until the Communists seemed on the verge of defeat. Stalin soon took charge and adopted new tactics. Crucially he reorganized the army, raised its morale and entered into a new alliance with the west. These decisions proved crucial and delayed, and eventually stopped the German advance and in the long run, Stalin was able to defeat the German army.

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