Attack of the Soviet Union on Finland

Germany and the Soviet Union had signed what is known as “Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact” of 1939 in order to acquire Poland’s land together. Although Hitler and Stalin did not like one another, they decided to put their differences aside for the moment in order to seize the opportunity. Hitler was interested in what was known as the Polish Corridor which had separated Germany from another piece of its property due to the Treaty of Versailles. Stalin was simply interested in expansion of Russia, and had plans to attack Germany once taking over Poland was successful. Germany took part in what was known as the

Joseph Stalin used the early years of WWII to gain Territory, which include Finland and Baltic States. (WorldWar2history.info). Later they signed a neutrality pact with Japan. “On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, thereby beginning Operation Barbarossa,” because of the invasion Soviet Union joined the war (WorldWar2History.info).

Emerging victoriously from World War II, America became the leader of the free-market capitalist world, and proved to be a military, economic, and political powerhouse. However, as one major war came to a close, another battle was brewing between the democratic United States and the communist Soviet Union. As the Soviet Union expanded farther West into Europe, America as well as its NATO allies worked together in an effort to contain the USSR’s expanding communist party. The Cold War went far beyond a battle between different ideologies. Rather, it developed into a global conflict where espionage, treason, and massive propaganda campaigns were inflicted on all aspects of individuals’ lives internationally. The plausibility of communism seeping into the confinements of the United States caused nation-wide fear to erupt. American businesses feared the idea of a communistic revolution on the basis that it would disturb the very groundwork that holds capitalism together. As a result, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was formed to investigate communist and fascist organizations within America. Unfortunately, the controversial tactics used during the HUAC hearings contributed to the fear, blacklisting, and repression that existed from 1940 through the 1950s. In the midst of the Cold War, several American opinions materialized concerning the role of the HUAC, in which Americans either praised the committee for its patriotic ideals, applauded but recognized the

Thus, Stalin embarked on a program to build a 'buffer zone' to safeguard the USSR. This meant that the Eastern Nations were to be 'satellites' for the USSR. America mis-interpertated this as first signs of Stalin's desire to conquer the world. Therefore, America began to be afraid and began seeking drastic measures such as rebuilding Germany as a buffer zone against Soviet influence.

The invasion of the Soviet Union can be seen as one of Hitler’s greatest blunders. In 1941 Hitler and Stalin were in a non-aggression pact. Hitler decided to waive that pact and invade the Soviet Union in 1941 with Operation Barbarossa. Hitler’s decision to invade the Soviet Union was a great risk and ultimately led to the 3rd Reich’s downfall. The Soviet Union was a country full of vast resources and a higher population than Germany. There seems to be so many risks involved with attacking the Soviet Union. So why was the Soviet Union attacked by Germany in 1941?

Even before the end of the Second World War, the USSR was a very secretive and closed society. US intelligence had little to no information about Soviet military strength and did not even have accurate maps of the USSR. The best aerial photographs available to western planners were from the Luftwaffe and had been captured by the allies at the end of WWII. Outside of these captured photos, virtually no maps or aerial photography existed of the USSR, especially those areas in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East.

There are now two great nations in the world, which starting from different points, seem to be advancing toward the same goal: the Russians and the Anglo-Americans. . . . Each seems called by some secret design of Providence one day to hold in its hands the destinies of half the world.

The scene was set for a nation to change. Fresh off of the economic and political victory that was World War II for the United States, The Soviet Union sent a challenge to the U.S that set up one of the biggest, and potentially apocalyptic stand-offs in history. The Cold War, the great stand off between the Americans and the Soviets lasted from 1947 to about 1991 according to Major Problems in American History Since 1945. This Cold War would change the culture in the United States forever, stamping it’s air of alertness and terror not only on the citizens of the U.S but on the politicians that ran the country as well. After the second world war, there was a brief sense of ultimate security within the country. The United States was the lone wolf, the top dog in the terms of defense and especially, in regards to the A-Bomb which the Soviets first tested successfully in 1949 (Brands, H.W). That all changed with the Cold War, the Soviet Union stepped into the arena, thus sending shockwaves throughout the country. These two countries also shared differences ideologically especially in the years immediately following WW II. The American government, specifically foreign policy officials, took it their mission to successfully spread capitalism and democracy across the globe, this was a very drastic difference to the Soviet’s desire to overthrow capitalism. The Cold War shaped 1950s American society and culture by creating the containment mentality that would follow the United

Shortly after the World War 2 ended, the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies entered the cold war with the Soviet Union. Germany was divided in half and later, the Berlin Wall was constructed as a physical boundary between the Soviet controlled East Germany and NATO controlled West Germany. This standoff continued until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. The cold war had a huge influence on the world stage, but also had a major effect on the Soviet Union internally. The cold war had a huge influence on the Soviet economy, caused great hardship for the Soviet population, and led to significant change in the political structure.

In 1945 the Second World War came to an end, many people thought there would be peace and happiness once it ended. They were correct for a while, until the turmoil left over by the World War II began a new war in itself. Germany did not like its punishment as it nearly ruined their economy and it was divided up into four areas, each controlled by United State, Soviet Union, Great Britain, and France respectively. But at the time they did not agree with many things which began to affect the territory control. The Soviet Union began to take over Eastern Europe and create communist governments. Along with the Communist governments being created in Europe, the Soviet Union began to create communist governments in Korea, Asia, and other parts

With Europe firmly divided into communist and capitalist, Germany became the new battle ground. There was the Berlin Blockade this was aimed at bluffing the Allies into renegotiation the division of Germany in his favor. This act did work, the allies just called his bluff by flying over Russian airspace. Stalin did not retaliate and risk war. In nineteen-forty nine with the Berlin Blockade in full effect and the threat of conflict with Russia, the Western powers signed the NATO treaty creating a military alliance.

World War 2 reshaped our world geographically, economically, and politically. During this time, Nazi Germany annihilated almost any opposition who challenged them. The German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact was signed on August 23, 1939 shortly before World War 2. In this document, both countries promised to take no military action against each other for the next 10 years. However, during the war, Hitler found Russia a necessity to enhance his world power through the Volga River. For six months Germans and Russians fought scrupulously. Nazi troops fought their way into the heart of Stalingrad yet, with winter arriving, they found themselves cold, starving, and low on ammunition. Attempts at rescue by airdrops failed and the Russians enclosed their enemy. Approximately 91,000 German soldiers were taken prisoner and Russians claimed victory on August 23, 1942.

The invasion of the Soviet Union can be seen as one of Hitler’s greatest blunders. In 1941 Hitler and Stalin were in a non-aggression pact. Hitler decided to waive that pact and invade the Soviet Union in 1941 with Operation Barbarossa. Hitler’s decision to invade the Soviet Union was a great risk and ultimately led to the 3rd Reich’s downfall. The Soviet Union was a country full of vast resources and a much higher population than Germany. There seems to be so many risks involved with attacking the Soviet Union. So why was the Soviet Union attacked by Germany in 1941?

The involvement of the Soviet Union in Congo caused a numerous amount of problems. The Congo was facing political and social instability because of the Belgian troops that were present and taking control over the land at the time. This all led to the United States getting involved, they supported the United Nations order to remove Belgian troops. The United States were supporting the UN but wanted to have a stable, pro-western regime through vote buying and financial support for pro-Western candidates, they believed that this could be achieved if they would assist the people of the Congo by removing the Belgian forces. The Europeans had took it upon themselves to invade the Congo and help the natives without receiving permission from the Prime Minister at the time, Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. Lumumba was enraged by this and grew resentment towards the Belgians which created more conflict within the Congo, many external and internal factors affected the rise and fall of the Congo nation which ultimately led to Congo being free from the Belgians in 1960.

The Russo-Finnish War, or Winter War, began on 30 November 1939 when the Soviet Union invaded Finland. The objectives of the Red Army were simply, conquer and subjugate all of Finland and re-establish the borders that existed prior to the First World War. The Soviet Union held the advantage in manpower, equipment, and resources, but the Finnish Army inflicted casualties on the Red Army that far exceeded their own. Not a single Red Army unit reached its initial objectives and Stalin was forced to come to the negotiation table and make a peace that left Finland as a sovereign state. The Finnish military was successful because the Red Army lacked competent leadership, didn’t have the proper equipment to fight in subzero temperatures, and the Finnish Army was able to adapt to a changing environment and use their smaller numbers to their advantage. The gaping holes in Soviet military capabilities helped fuel Hitler’s willingness to initiate Operation Barbarossa. Additionally, by invading Finland the Soviet Union turned a disinterested and essentially neutral into an enemy that had the capabilities to strike into the heart of Russia.