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L2: War Breaks out in the Soviet Union Agenda Objectives: 1. To understand the significance of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa). 2. To evaluate and analyze the implications of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. Schedule: 1. Lecture, Cartoons, and Analysis Homework: 1. “Causes of the War in the Pacific” Reading Due Thurs 5/1 Task for Today • Today we will learning about fighting between the Soviet Union and the Nazis. • The fighting takes place in Russia which has now become the Eastern Front of the war. • To understand the nature of combat between the Soviets and the Nazis we will analyze a series of political cartoons. All but the first are drawn by Dr. Seuss, who was a political cartoonist before he became a children’s author. Soviet-Nazi Relations: 1939 • In 1939, the Soviet Union and Germany signed a Nonagression Pact. – The two nations pledge not to invade one another Nazi-Soviet Relations: 1939 What does this cartoon suggest about the Nazi-Soviet Nonagression Pact? World War Two Breaks Out: 1939-1940 • Recap… – Nazis invade Poland, supported by the Soviet Union – Nazis defeat France – Nazis are defeated by Britain in the Battle of Britain • Nazis turn their attention to the Soviet Union in the summer of 1940 The Motives Behind the Nazi Invasion of the USSR What does this cartoon suggest about the motives behind the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union? The Motives Behind the Nazi Invasion of the Soviet Union • Hitler had strategic and ideological reasons for invading the Soviet Union 1. 2. 3. Strategically he knew that part of the British willingness to fight was motivated by their belief that they could ally with the Soviet Union and the United States. If he could not the Soviets out, he might be able to get Britain to surrender. He also felt he needed the agricultural and raw material resources of Eastern Russia. Ideologically he viewed the Soviet Union as an amalgamation of two of his greatest enemies, the Jews and the Slavs. Planning the Invasion of the Soviet Union • The plan to invade the Soviet Union was called Operation Barbarossa. • Invading the Soviet Union poses a set of challenges to any nation. Operation Barbarossa What does this cartoon suggest might be some of the major obstacles facing the Nazis as they plan to invade the Soviet Union? Planning Operation Barbarossa • Hitler’s Plan: 1. Destroy the Soviet Union within one year 2. Catch and destroy the Soviet Army at the border areas, thereby avoiding a full-scale invasion of Russia • If these plans did not play out this could pose major problems for the Nazis: – A long, drawn out campaign fought in the interior of Russia would create huge logistical problems for the Nazis Operation Barbarossa • On June 22, 1941, Hitler invaded Russia in Operation Barbarossa • The operation encompassed a total troop strength of about 4 million men, making it the biggest single land operation ever • Benefiting from initial surprise, by the end of July Hitler had occupied a portion of Russia twice the size of France Greatest Extent of Axis Control Operation Barbarossa: Battle of Moscow • With the Germans’ successes in the north and south, Hitler assumed that Stalin’s regime was on the verge of collapse • He authorized an advance on Moscow before the onset of winter • Already however the Germans were suffering from serious supply shortages – By September the supply system was only meeting current tactical consumption needs – No supply stores for the winter season were being built Operation Barbarossa: Battle of Moscow • The Germans caught the Russians unprepared and made great advances • The Soviet Army seemed on the verge of collapse • At this point the weather broke and autumn rains turned the roads to mud • The German advance stalled, allowing the Russians to hurry reinforcements from the interior Operation Barbarossa: Battle of Moscow • Despite dropping temperatures and critical supply shortages, the German high command pressed on with the attack • The German soldiers were still in summer uniforms and suffered terribly German soldier during the battle of Moscow Operation Barbarossa: Battle of Moscow • By Dec 4 the Germans had clawed their way to Moscow’s outskirts, but they could not continue – That night temperatures were -25 degrees Fahrenheit – One infantry regiment suffered 300 frostbite casualties – On Dec 6 the Soviets counterattacked Operation Barbarossa : Battle of Moscow • As the Russians pushed forward, Hitler refused to allow a retreat and relieved or court-martialed generals who did so • Hitler named himself commander-in-chief of the army – Each military service began to operate increasingly independently and Germany suffered from a lack of an overall strategy Operation Barbarossa : Battle of Moscow • On the Eastern Front the Germans’ stiff resistance and control of crucial roads and supply centers slowly took the punch out of the Russian counterattack • The German Army survived but it suffered losses from which it never recovered • Both sides licked their wounds and prepared for renewed operations in the spring • Operation Barbarossa was at a stalemate Japan Creates a Potential Break in the Moscow Stalemate • On Dec 7, 1941, Japan attacked the US at Pearl Harbor. • What are some possible implications of this for Germany as it deals with the Soviet Union? Japan Creates a Potential Break in the Moscow Stalemate What does this cartoon suggest are the possible implications of Pearl Harbor on Operation Barbarossa? Japan Creates a Potential Break in the Moscow Stalemate • Pearl Harbor, “awakens the sleeping giant” that is the United States. As a result: – Hitler decided to support Japan and also declare war on the US. – The U.S. joins with Britain to adopt a “Europe First” strategy that Hitler feared might bring about the collapse of his control over Europe. What Now? • What are the problems facing the Nazis in Operation Barbarossa? • What do you think their next steps should be?