As we have learned, Soviet history is infamous for the many famines that wipe out huge chunks of their population and led to civil unrest. Thankfully, during WWII these famines were absent and this was crucial to the wartime success (Wheatcroft, 2012). Following the war, they were hit, once again, with another massive famine. […]
Tag: WWII
The Allies can Tank the Battle of Kursk for Turning the Tide of the War
by
•In his essay Battle of Kursk, James von Geldern states that this engagement “involved the largest tank battle of the Second World War,” and “was fought on the steppe of Kursk oblast between July 5 and August 23, 1943.” Furthermore, from taking a class on World War Two last Autumn, I know that this was and … Continue reading The Allies can Tank the Battle of Kursk for Turning the Tide of the War
From Allies to Enemies
by
•The Soviet and United States alliance during the second World War turned shortly after into one of the greatest rivalries in history. How did these two powers cooperate so efficiently to defeat Nazi Germany and a couple of years later do all they could to defeat the other? It is often the case that countries… Continue reading From Allies to Enemies →
Victory for the Soviets
by
•The “Great Patriotic War,” otherwise known as World War II, was a difficult time for both the USSR and Germany. Both states were limited in resources and struggled to maintain a satisfied audience of citizens as well as successfully maintain their armies due to lack of food and advanced weaponry. The Battle of Stalingrad turned … Continue reading Victory for the Soviets
Nazis or Soviets: the Katyn Forest Massacre
by
•Picture of the mass grave with the bodies that were recovered lined up. Source: Krasil’Nikov, Iu.: Katyn. 1999. The Katyn Forest Massacre was announced to the public via German radio in April of 1943. I discovered this piece of history … Continue reading →
Rosie the {Russian} Riveter
by
•One group that is often overlooked during wartime is women. Traditional values in Soviet culture told women to stay at home to tend to the children, cook dinner, clean up, and take care of other household issues. However, during the 1940s while men were away at war, women played a very different role in Soviet […]
The 900 Day Siege of Leningrad
by
•The siege of Leningrad was one of the longest sieges in World War II. It lasted from September of 1941 to January of 1944 when the Germans were finally pushed back. In this time the city was relentlessly shelled and starved by the invading German Army. Although many people were evacuated in the beginning, more …
“Savage Minorities” and Paranoia
by
•A Russian victory in World War II was necessary for the reassertion of their legitimacy. 70+ years have passed since the Russian defeat over Nazi Germany, resulting in economic, political, and social upheaval once again; aimed at those who were “different” than the political elites. Stalin also felt compounding stress from: “[t]he Soviet Union, at … Continue reading “Savage Minorities” and Paranoia