The Fuhrer and the Vodz

• 1933 Hitler bame Chancellor
• Germany, Italy (both Facists) and Imperialist Japan came together declaring Russia a common enemy.

Soviet Union Response:

• Reform Military
• Spies
• Divert economic resources to rearmament.

However, in each case Stalin's paranoia made all of this ineffective.

• Started in 1935
• Under Trotsky  all ranks within army were abolished.
• Stalin brought back these ranks of officers.

HOWEVER, between 1937 &1938 over 34,000 soldiers were purged and several  army officers meaning a lot of experties were lost.

• Soviet Union had spies in USA, UK, France & German governement.
• Stalin refused to accept all the information as he didn't trust the intelligence.
• For much of this time anyway, spy resources was spent trying to find Trotsky

• 3rd 5YP started in 1938.
• Purges led to chaos and meant that the plan was never finished.
• Administrators only left with drafts.
• Government departments argued over allocation of money.
• Under this plan 11 times more money spent on defence.

Remarkable acheivments:

• 1936 = 6 new aircraft factories built & 24 new factories for explosives production.
• 1938--1942 = number of tanks made doubled.

MADE ON 24TH AUGUST 1939

Publically the Pact said:

• Germany & Russia would respect each others territory.
• 
• They would increase trade as a sign of friendship.

Privately the Pact said:

• Germany could control Western Poland & Czechslovakia
• Russia could control Latvia, Lithuania & Estonia (in a month he overthrew them)

German invasion of Poland:

1 week later, Germany had invaded Poland and taken over capital. Stalin phoned to congatulate him.

• Neither USA or UK seemed interested in forming alliance with Russia, or seemed fussed about stopping Hitler.
• Stalin wanted to "buy time" - he thought wouldn't be ready until 1943.
• Lenin adviced the German Communists & GermanCommunist to form a pact in order to overthrow Demo gov.
• Stalin admired Hitler.
• It was the only way for recapture European countries that were Russian territory.

22nd

JUNE

1941!!