Was Stalin prepared for war?

Reforming the military

• In 1935, military discipline within the Red Army was tightened as the Tsarist system of a clear distinction between officers and men was reintroduced
• Between 1937 and 1939, the Red Army was extensively purged to ensure that all members were loyal to the regime
• The Red Army was extensively purged and a great deal of experience and military skill was lost

International espionage

• Russia had an extensive network of spies: communist sympathisers in the UK, USA, France and Germany provided secret information to the Soviet government
• Much of the information provided by spies was never analysed as Stalin refused to trust his intelligence services
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