Homework 8; term 2

1. How successful was Hitler's blitzkreig on Russia during the first five days? (38-39)

-It was very successful

2. What do you understand by the term "Great Purge"? (39-40)

-This was when all of the Soviety societ was crippled by the terror unleaded by Stalin. The officer corps of the Red Army was virtually destoryed. Then, General Shmushkevich, who was chief of the air force and sneior military officer before the Nazi invasion, was killed two weekeds before the German assault.

3. What affect did the Great Purge have on the USSR's ability to resist Hitler's blitzkrieg? (40-42)

-The book says that there was no way that Stalin could have avoided the Nazi attack. However, the Great Purge killed many senior officers, which basically destroyed the USSR. Also, it produced a lot of fear, which sort of destroyed everyone's morale, also lowering their ability to resist the blitzkrieg.

4. According to the article, what was the most important for Stalin to maintain as the the leader of the USSR? (42)

-The security of his power.

5. Why did Stalin disregard repeated warnings from the US and Great Britain of the imminent Nazi Attack on the USSR? (42-46)

-He trusted the Nazis more than the Capitalists (Great Britain and the United States)

6. Why did Stalin decide to ally with Hitler in 1939? (44-45)

-Because it would secure peace with Russia, and give them time to strengthen their army as well.

7. In what ways did Stalin try to appease Hitler, and try to prevent him from having a reason to attack the USSR? (48)

-When German air force members were going to shoot at Soviet Russia, they told them to "release at once."

8. What major mistakes did Stalin make?

-He couldn't seem to understand Hitler's deep hatred towards Russia. Also, he was so wrapped up in his own ideologies that he didn't want to accept the Anglo-American truth.

9. What major mistakes did Hitler make?

-He made the mistake of telling everyone that he loved them, such as the German people, when in reality he hated them, ]and therefore lost the war.

10. According to the author, why did Stalin emerge victorious over Hitler in the War? (51-52)

-Because the Nazi's policy of treating Russians as "subhumans" to be shipped as slaves to the German Reich sort of backfired and didn't work. Then, the Nazis found themselves fighting for their survivor, as the soviets began to succeed.