1. Stalin WW2 and Foreign Policy

2. Pre WW2 Stalin had purged the military in the 1930’s Stalin feared foreign invasion or attacks against Communism Maxim Litvinov was in charge of foreign policy - but Jewish Replaced by Molotov in March 1939 Negotiated the Nazi-Soviet Pact - August 1939 Molotov-von Ribbentrop Pact Needed time to re-arm Ally with Hitler - get half of Poland - ally with Britain and France = war. Also permission to annex the Baltic States

3. Germany and Poland Germany invaded Poland in 1939 Planned decapitation of Polish society Removal of political and military elites Anti-semitism Aided by Russia Katyn Massacre of 1940

4. Operation Barbarossa and the Eastern Front Hitler invaded Russia in June 1941 The deadliest conflict in WW2 - 80% of German losses - 30m total Made rapid headway in the march to Moscow. Russia adopted the “scorched earth” policy Moved manufacturing east of the Urals Winter halted the German advance on Moscow and allowed the Soviet’s valuable breathing room. Planned Economy moved to Total War

5. Key Battles Battle of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Prime target of Operation Barbarossa - symbolic significance Siege lasted 872 days Bloody conflict - destruction of monuments and museums Battle of Stalingrad (Volgagrad) Lasted 2 years Turning point in War - major defeat of German forces Battle of Kursk Major tank offensive Soviet success and breakout

6. Victory State Committee of Defense - GOKO Created in 1941 Stalin - Order #270 - retreat or defeat not an option Total War Propaganda - Great Patriotic War - fight for identity not ideology Nationalism and the Orthodox Church Re-settlement of dissident populations Geography - winter and terrain Foreign Support - US and Allies

7. Post 1945 Stalin emerged from the war as national hero Unlimited Power - saviour of the USSR World statesman and world power Potsdam and Yalta Territorial gains The Economy Rebuild and re-arm Fourth 5 Year Plan Domestic Policy Russification and anti-semitism Relocation and Purges of new satellite staes

8. Stalin and the Cold War USSR territorial expansion into Central and Eastern Europe Broke off relations with the West - no face to face after Potsdam Anti-western rhetoric Berlin Marshall Plan = Dollar Imperialism “Salami Tactics” in Satellite states. The Korean War