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An Analysis Of Hitler's Operation Barbarossa

Decent Essays

The wartime relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States, tenuously compromised and founded upon the necessity of the immediate pragmatism instigated by Hitler’s Operation Barbarossa, was doomed to inevitably disintegrate once both parties ceased to confront a common belligerent. There are two significant factors within the breakdown of United States – Soviet relations following World War II. First is the ideological incongruence within the communist – capitalist dichotomy. Evangelical in nature, both powers aspired toward the proliferation of their political model (Class Lecture, Slide 2). Similarly, Stalin’s narrative of the bourgeoisie’s desire to undermine Soviet progress only furthered the rift between the two systems (“Comrades”, …show more content…

Specifically, Stalin recognized the possibility of unilateral Soviet action following Chamberlain’s appeasement to Hitler in Munich (“Comrades”, CNN), delays in opening a western front in Europe (“Comrades”, CNN), perceived secret agendas following the preservation of the Ludendorff Bridge (Judge & Langdon, 26), and ultimately the west’s disinclination to receive the surrender of Nazi forces in Italy (Judge & Langdon, 26). From the western point of view, the most significant turning point for United States – Soviet relations during World War II was the comprehension of the Soviet abandonment of the Polish Home Army during their resistance against the Nazis in Warsaw. The Nazis decimated these 20,000 Poles, who until the approach of the Red Army had remained in hiding (Judge & Langdon, 20). The inaction of the Soviets outraged their partners, and establishing, potentially, the most volatile period during the tenuous alliance (“Comrades”, …show more content…

The first was the Yalta Conference. The “Big 3” met at Yalta to frame the military strategy for the remainder of the war in Europe, devise plans for post-war occupation, continue the continue to build foundation of the United Nations, confirm the borders of Poland, and ensure Soviet entry into the Pacific theater (Judge & Langdon, 22-25). However, Stalin viewed the outcome of the conference as a significant advantage, and believed he had carte blanche not only to act as he pleased in Poland, but also to advance “as far to the west as possible while Germany collapsed” in an effort to attain as much territory as possible (Judge & Langdon, 27). The final turning point was the American decision to employ nuclear weapons in anger against a foe. The apocalyptic actions, regardless of intent specific to World War II, expanded the scope of the American – Soviet rivalry, while reducing the margin for error (Judge & Langdon,

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