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[[File: Stalin and Ribbentrop.jpg|thumbnail|270px250px|left|Stalin and Ribbentrop after signing pact 1939.]]Joseph Stalin reacted extremely slowly to the invasion of his country by German forces in 1940. Indeed, not only did he react slowly, 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 's response to Hitler's invasion was slow 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 economydisorganized, launching a period of industrialization and collectivization that resulted especially in the rapid transformation first days of the USSR from an agrarian society into an industrial global powerwar. 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's response was ineffective because he trusted Hitler.In the meantimeHowever, Germany revitalized under Adolf Hitler’s leadership, worked to revise the post-World War I organizational structure Stalin took charge of Europe, imposed by the United States, England, situation and France. Hitler changed his military and Stalin seemed to be natural enemies. [[The Nazi triumph: how did Adolf Hitler become the Fuehrer of Germany?|Adolf Hitler]] loathed diplomatic policy that at first slowed the Communists and Stalin publicly denounced the Nazis. The two regimes were ideological enemies German advance and then stopped it before 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),preached Moscow in December 1941. 178</ref>

==The Molotov–Ribbentrop Non-Aggression PactWas war between the Soviet Union and Germany inevitable? ==[[File: Molotov.jpgHow Joseph Stalin became the leader of the Soviet Union|thumbnail|300px|left|Ribbentrop and Molotov in Berlin, 1940Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin]]After ruled over the Nazis rose to power in Germany in 1933, relations Soviet Union between Germany 1920 and the Soviet Union1953, acting as the two sworn enemy regimes, began to deteriorate rapidly, and trade between supreme leader of the two countries decreased and almost frozeUSSR. The Holding the post of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union had generally good relations with , he was effectively the Weimar Republic.<ref>Boobyer, p 198</ref> Following several years dictator of tension and rivalry, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union eventually began to improve relations in 1939state. German Stalin introduced his own highly centralized command economy thrived by exporting manufactured goods , launching a period of industrialization and industrial equipment around the world collectivization that resulted in exchange for importing raw materials. On the other hand, the USSR was still 's rapid transformation from an agrarian state. While it was rich in natural resources, it was struggling to transition to society into an more industrial economyglobal power. The Soviets were forced to purchase Between 1934 and import more than half 1939, Stalin mercilessly carried out a series of massive political extra-judicial executions, known as the necessary factory machinery from the United States. The pact was appealing to both Stalin Great Purge, of major Communist Party and Hitler because they were both at odds with the Westgovernment rival figures as well as many Red Army high commanders without any proper trials - all convicted of alleged treason or considered a threat. Driven by their mutual resentment for These “enemies of the Westworking class” were imprisoned, exiled, sent to forced labor camps or executed, USSR and Nazi Germany interests briefly aligned and they moved towards [[The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact- Stalin’s greatest mistake?|German-Soviet cooperation and an alliance]]without due process.

In 1939the meantime, London and Paris invited Moscow Germany revitalized under Adolf Hitler’s leadership, worked to corevise the post-sign an Anglo-French guarantee to protect Poland World War I organizational structure of Europe, imposed by the United States, England, and Romania from possible German aggressionFrance. The Soviets agreed only upon permission from Lithuania, PolandAt the same time, Germany and Romania to allow the free passage of Soviet troops in the event of war. However, Poland refused to grant its permission because they justifiably feared that Soviets wanted to use these as a pretext USST appeared to take over its territorybe natural enemies. The West prolonged Soviet-Allied negotiations since [[How did Hitler become the Great Powers feared the spread Dictator and Fuhrer of Germany?|Adolf Hitler]] loathed the communist regime Communists, and considered Stalin publicly denounced the Soviet Union as an outlaw state for its established social and political structures through internal subversion, armed violenceNational Socialist Party. The two regimes were ideological enemies, and terrorism. USSR in its turn advocated it seemed to many observers that a war between the overthrow of all capitalist regimestwo was inevitable at some stage.<ref>Stalin's Secret War Plans: Why Hitler Invaded the Soviet Union - Boobbyer, Phillip http<i>[https://www.wintersonnenwendeamazon.com/scriptoriumgp/englishproduct/archives0415182980/articlesref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415182980&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=be2a9195cf0017e9147f778e95d45fbe The Stalin Era]</stalwarplansi> (Routledge, London, 2000),p.html178</ref>

After == What was The Molotov–Ribbentrop Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union's negotiations feel apart with Britain USSR? ==[[File: Molotov.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Ribbentrop and FranceMolotov in Berlin, Stalin turned 1940]]After the National Socialist Party rose to power in Germany. As a result, on the 23rd of August 1939in 1933, relations between Germany and 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 USSR and Nazis foreign affairs political figures at the time. This Hitler allayed fears of a two front war in Europe. Moreoversworn enemy regimes, began to deteriorate rapidly, Stalin and Hitler signed numerous secret protocols dividing trade between the entire territory of Eastern Europe into Soviet two countries decreased and Nazi spheres of influencealmost froze. The Soviets would recover eastern PolandSoviet Union generally had good relations with the Weimar Republic.<ref>Boobyer, formerly part of Imperial Russia. The Germans also supported the USSR's claims on Bessarabia (eastern part p 198</ref> Following several years of Romania) tension and agreed to define Eastern Europe's Baltic (Polandrivalry, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania) Germany and Balkan states as belonging to the Soviet “sphere of interestUnion eventually improved relations in 1939.” Furthermore, after signing the pact, the countries rapidly expanded their economic relationship The German economy thrived by entering into a commercial agreement whereby the Soviet Union sent critical raw materials exporting manufactured goods and ingredients to Germany industrial equipment worldwide in exchange for weaponsimporting raw materials. On the other hand, military technologythe USSR was still an agrarian state. While it was rich in natural resources, civilian it was struggling to transition to a more industrial economy. The Soviets were forced to purchase and manufacturing import more than half of the necessary factory machineryfrom the United States. The pact was appealing to the two leaders because they were both at odds with the West. ThereafterDriven by their mutual resentment for the West, the USSR's and Germany received significant amounts of petroleum's interests briefly aligned, grain, rubber and manganese, all necessary for its future war effortsthey moved towards [[The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact- Stalin’s greatest mistake?|German-Soviet cooperation and an alliance]].

==In 1939, London and Paris invited Moscow to co-sign an Anglo-French guarantee to protect Poland and Romania from possible German aggression. The Soviets agreed only upon permission from Lithuania, Poland, and Romania to allow the free passage of Soviet troops in the war. However, Poland refused to grant its permission because they justifiably feared that the Soviets wanted to use these as a pretext to take over its territory. The West prolonged Soviet-Allied negotiations since the Great Powers feared the spread of the communist regime and considered the Soviet Union as an outlaw state for its established social and political structures through internal subversion, armed violence, and terrorism. USSR, in its turn, advocated the overthrow of all capitalist regimes.<ref>Stalin's Secret War Plans: Why Hitler Invaded the Soviet Union</ref> After the Soviet Union's negotiations fell 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 Germany. The pact, known as [The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact- Stalin’s greatest mistake?| Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact], was named after the leadership of the USSR's and Germany' Violation s foreign affairs. Hitler allayed his fears of a two-front war in Europe. Moreover, Stalin and Hitler signed numerous secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe into Soviet and 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). They 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 to exchange weapons, military technology, civilian and manufacturing machinery. Thereafter, Germany received significant petroleum, grain, rubber, and manganese, all necessary for its future war efforts. ==What did the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pactdo? ==[[File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1974-099-19,_Russland,_Angriff_auf_ein_Dorf.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px250px|German Troops in the Soviet Union in 1941]]The two dictators signed secret protocols dividing central Europe between Stalin and Hitler, it . It effectively let lets both the USSR and the NAZIS to Germany invade freely countries listed within their “spheres of influence”influence. However, the agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union 's agreement 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>

On 1 September 1939, within days of signing the pact and the secret protocols, Hitler invaded Poland, now confident that the Soviets would not oppose him. In response, Britain and France declared war on Germany. A couple of weeks later, the Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east to grab its share. In 1940, the USSR followed up by occupying Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania , and the Bessarabia's Romanian province of Bessarabia. Britain and France protested , but with their forces already at war against Germany, they could not afford to fight Stalin as well. The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact intially initially worked quite well and showed how similar the two states ' goals really were. But this peace it did not last for long.  Once the Soviets seized a generous portion of Eastern Europe, they also tried to invade Finland. Despite being tremendously outnumbered and outgunned, the Finns improvised a defense and made the best of the terrain and the ferocious winter weather. Simultaneously, the German army conquered France without suffering appreciable losses, and the British withdrew from the continent. The Germans were astonished at how badly the Soviets performed against the Finns. This struggle encouraged Germany to attack the USSR. Germany determined that they could defeat Stalin in a rapid campaign ([[What was Blitzkrieg and Who Created it|Blitzkrieg]]) before turning their sights to Brits in the west. <ref>The pact between Hitler and Stalin that paved the way for World War II was signed 75 years ago - http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-08-21/pact-between-hitler-and-stalin-paved-way-world-war-ii-was-signed-75-years-ago</ref> <dh-ad/> == Why did Germany violate the pact with USSR with Operation Barbarossa? == [[File:Barb_2.jpg|thumbnail|255px|left|German soldier in front of BT-7 Panzer tank in Ukraine in 1941]]In addition to weakness, the Soviet's showed in Finland, Germany had also been alarmed by the Soviet Union's seizure of part of Romania. Germany was concerned that Stalin would target the oil fields in Romania. These oil fields were vital to the German war effort. Germany moved several armored divisions into Poland and, in December 1940, issued a directive for the invasion of the Soviet Union, codenamed Operation Barbarossa. Several sources warned Stalin of the imminent threat of a German invasion. Soviet intelligence had monitored the German's actions. Stalin refused to believe it- instead, he continued to assume that Germany would abide by the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. In the early morning of 22 June 1941, Germany officially violated the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and invaded the Soviet Union.<ref> Montefiore, p. 245</ref> Historians claim that Stalin was stunned by the invasion and refused to accept the news was true. The Soviet leader had also ignored all warnings from the US, British governments, and even his own intelligence officers. Economic and diplomatic relations between the 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 army officers in the 1930s had crippled the Soviet military machine. During the early days of the war, the Red Army lacked trustworthy and skillful generals and suffered several disastrous losses. The Red Army ultimately allowed German troops almost to reach the Kremlin gates. <ref>Joseph Stalin and World War II - http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-stalin</ref> The German assault on the Soviet Union was wildly successful. During the early weeks of Operation Barbarossa, Germany averaged gains of 50 miles a day. This rapid advance was abetted by the lack of direction from Stalin. For some time, the Red Army languished without any direction from Stalin.<ref> Montefiore, p. 245</ref>

Once == Why did Stalin react so slowly to the Soviets seized a generous portion of Eastern Europe, they also tried German Invasion? ==There are several theories on why Stalin should have reacted so slowly to invade Finlandthe invasion. Despite being tremendously outnumbered Some have speculated that Stalin was so shocked by the invasion and outgunned, the Finns improvised betrayal by Hitler that he went into a defense and made the best state of the terrain and the ferocious winter weathershock. At Some believe that such was his despair that Stalin retreated away from the same timeworld, unable to face the German army conquered France without suffering appreciable losses magnitude of his mistake and the British withdrew from the continentconsequences of his error in trusting Hitler. The Germans were astonished at how badly He had assumed that Hitler would abide by the Soviets performed in fighting with terms of the Finnsnon-aggression pact of 1939. This struggle encouraged Germany to attack the USSRSome historians have even suggested that Stalin suffered some nervous breakdown. Germany determined Another less popular theory is that they could defeat Stalin in a rapid campaign ([[How Did deliberately withdrew from the German Military Develop Blitzkrieg?|Blitzkrieg]]) before turning their sights scene to avoid being ousted from power. When he saw that no one was about to challenge his authority, he decided to Brits in control the westsituation. <ref>The pact between Hitler and Stalin that paved the way for World War II was signed 75 years ago - httpBellamy, Chris, <i>[https://www.priamazon.orgcom/gp/storiesproduct/20140375724710/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375724710&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-08-2120&linkId=4af9160f8751b9120921c7982235532a Absolute War: Soviet Russia in the Second World War]</pact-between-hitler-and-stalin-paved-way-world-war-ii-was-signed-75-years-agoi>. New York: Alfred A. Knopf & Random House.2007), p. 53</ref>

==Operation Barbarossa==Stalin leads the fightback==== [[File:Barb_2However, within weeks Stalin manages to recover from the shock and called for reinforcements.jpg|thumbnail|325px|left|Although German soldier in front troops had made huge advances into the heartlands of BT-7 Panzer tank in Ukraine in 1941]]In addition to weakness the Soviet's showed in Finland, Hitler Union and the rest of the government had also been alarmed by the Soviet Union's seizure of part of Romania. He was concerned that evacuated from Moscow, Stalin would target the oil fields remained in Romania. These oil fields are vital to the German war effort. Hitler moved divisions into Poland Kremlin and in December 1940 issued a directive for the invasion begun to take control of the country’s ailing military infrastructure. As German troops approached Moscow's Soviet Unioncapital, codenamed Operation Barbarossa. Stalin was warned by several sources of directed a devastating defensive policy, destroying any supplies or infrastructure that might benefit the imminent threat of a Nazi invasion. The Germans actions had been monitored by Soviet Intelligenceenemy. Fresh competent USSR military commanders loyal to Stalin refused were allowed to believe it- insteadcontrol important strategic positions and military divisions. <ref>Bellamy, he continued to assume that Hitler would abide by the Molotov-Ribbentrop pactp.117</ref>

In the early morning of 22 June 1941, Hitler officially violated the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and invaded This scorched earth tactic denied the Soviet UnionGermans key supplies.<ref> Montefiore, p. 245</ref> Historians claim that Stalin This was stunned by particularly the invasion and refused to accept case as the news was true. The Soviet leader German supply lines had also ignored all warnings from the USbecome extended, British governments and even his own intelligence officers. Economic and diplomatic relations between the USSR and Germany rapidly deteriorated and were abruptly terminated. The Soviets were men at the front did not prepared for a war against Germanyreceive the supplies they needed. The Red Army troops were scattered destruction of the infrastructure and dispersed among several fronts. Furthermore, Stalin’s purges of army officers in anything else that could be utilized by the 1930s had crippled Germans caused immense suffering to the Soviet military machinecivilian population. During However, it dramatically slowed the early days of the war the Red Army lacked trustworthy and skillful generals and suffered several disastrous lossesGerman advance. The Red Army ultimately allowed Nazi troops Stalin's policy contributed to almost reach the Kremlin gates. <ref>Joseph Stalin and World War II - http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-stalin</ref> The German assault on army's failure to take Moscow in the Soviet Union was wildly successful. During he early weeks winter of Operation Barbarossa, Germany averaged gains of 50 miles a day. This rapid advance was abetted by the lack of direction from Stalin. For some time, the Red Army languished without any direction from Stalin1941.<ref> MontefioreBellamy, p. 245112</ref>

==Theories on How did Stalin's Inactivityreorganize the Soviet Army? ==There are several theories on why Stalin should have reacted so slowly to After the invasion. Some have speculated that Stalin was so shocked by of the invasion Soviet and the betrayal poor leadership shown by Hitler that many Generals, he went into adopted a state new policy that promoted men of ability to positions of shockauthority in the armed forces, such as Zhukov. Some believe that such was his despair that Stalin retreated away from This greatly improved the world unable Red Army's leadership and allowed it to face be more effective against the magnitude of his mistake and German armies. Stalin also reorganized the consequences of his error in trusting HitlerSoviet Army's High Command. He had assumed that Hitler would abide by established the Stavka. This provided the terms of Red Army with the non-aggression pact of 1939leadership it needed in its life or death struggle with Germany. Some historians have even suggested that Stalin suffered some kind of nervous breakdown. Anothersupervised Stavka closely, less popular theory is that Stalin deliberately withdrew from the scene, to avoid being ousted from power. When but he saw that no one was about to challenge also gave his Generals more authority he decided to take control of the situation. <ref>Bellamy, Chris, <i>[https"Stalin's Role in WWII" - http://wwwyesterday.uktv.amazonco.comuk/gpwarzone/productarticle/0375724710/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375724710&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0cstalins-role-20&linkId=4af9160f8751b9120921c7982235532a Absolute War: Soviet Russia in the Second World War]<wwii/i>. New York: Alfred A. Knopf & Random House.2007), p. 53</ref>

==Stalin leads the fightback==However, within weeks Stalin manage also sought to recover from raise the shock and called for reinforcements. Although German troops had made huge advances into the heartlands fighting morale of the troops. He well knew that many ordinary Soviet Union citizens were still Russian nationalists at heart and venerated the rest of Orthodox Church. To improve the government had been evacuated from Moscowarmy's morale and loyalty, he promoted Russian nationalism, even though, as a Communist, he was ideologically opposed to nationalism. Furthermore, he stopped persecuting the Orthodox Church. These measures made Stalin remained in popular with the Kremlin army and begun to take control raised the morale of the country’s ailing military infrastructuretroops. As German troops approached This stiffened their resistance to the Soviet capital invasion of Moscow, Stalin directed a devastating defensive policy, destroying any supplies or infrastructure that might benefit the enemy. Fresh competent USSR military commanders loyal to Stalin were allowed to take control of important strategic positions and military divisionsRussian 'Motherland. '<ref>BellamyZhukov, pGeorgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E. 117, Salisbury, <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 Soviet civilian population, however, it slowed down the German advance. Stalincom/gp/product/0356029239/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0356029239&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=422ccd38a753dde5fbe26d0486b12cb8 Marshal Zhukov's policy contributed to the failure of the German army to take Moscow in the early winter of 1941.Greatest Battles]<ref/i>Bellamy(New York: Harper & Row, 1969), p.112116</ref>

==Why did Churchill align with Stalin reorganizes the Army? ==After some weeks of inactivity, As the Supreme Soviet leader personally took control German invasion of the situationRussia progressed. Stalin dominated the army contacted Western diplomats requesting two agreements. He aimed at reaching a mutual assistance/aid pact and he had placed men in key positions not based upon their ability but based on their personal allegiance to him. The supreme Soviet leader was very afraid recognition that if he gave too much independence to after the armywar, that the Generals Soviet Union would remove him from power. After gain the invasion of the Soviet and the poor leadership shown by many Generals, he adopted a new policy he promoted men of ability to positions of authority territories in countries that it would take war actions against Hitler on the armed forces, such as ZhukovEastern front. This greatly improved the leadership [[How did Winston Churchill become Prime Minister of the Red Army and allowed it United Kingdom in World War Two?|Winston Churchill]] was very willing to be more effective against the Nazi armiesally with Stalin. Even though He was an ardent anti-communist and personally disliked Stalin also reorganized the Soviet Army's High Command. He established agreed to support the Stavka, this provided the Red Army with the leadership it needed Soviets in the life or death struggle their battle with the Germans. Stalin supervised Stavka closely, but he also gave his Generals more authority.<ref>"Stalin's Role in WWII" - http://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/warzone/article/stalins-role-wwii/</ref>

When criticized for aligning with Stalin also sought to raise , Churchill stated he "would become the fighting morale of the troopsdevils" ally. He well knew that many ordinary Soviet citizens were still Russian nationalists at heart and venerated " Stalin's diplomatic moves in the Orthodox Churchaftermath of Operation Barbarossa was shrewd. In order It allowed him to improve receive the morale support of first the army British and their loyaltylater the Americans.<ref> Belamy, he promoted Russian nationalism, even though as a Communist he was ideologically opposed p. 34</ref> The British began to nationalism. Furthermore, he stopped persecuting supply the Orthodox Church. These measures made Stalin popular Soviets with the army arms and supplies via Iran and raised the morale of the troopsAntarctic. This stiffened their resistance Stalin's diplomatic response to his country's invasion was to become the invasion ally of his ideological rivals, the Russian 'Motherlandwestern democracies.'<ref> Zhukov, Georgiĭ Konstantinovich & Harrison E., Salisbury, <i>[httpsStalin's Role in WWII - http://wwwyesterday.amazonuktv.comco.uk/gpwarzone/productarticle/0356029239/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0356029239&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0cstalins-role-20&linkId=422ccd38a753dde5fbe26d0486b12cb8 Marshal Zhukov's Greatest Battles]<wwii/i> (New York: Harper & Row, 1969), p. 116</ref>

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

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