GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR
OPERATION BARBAROSSA
This was the name for the invasion of Russia by the Germans in 1941.
o It was originally 1st June, however it was delayed by 3 weeks because of a crisis within
Yugoslavia that caused Hitler to invade in another Blitzkrieg campaign. This delay didn’t
seem significant at the time, it led to a shorter time to complete the campaign before
the harsh Russian winter weather affected the campaign.
o It officially began on 22nd June 1941.
It was originally planned for as an invasion by 3 groups
o A central thrust towards Moscow,
o One north through the Baltic states and into Leningrad
o One to the south-east through Ukraine and into the Caucasus region.
Hitler had been preparing since October 1940.
o This shows the extent of Stalin’s naivety and how it led the Russian army’s under
preparedness in terms of war.
Hitler believed many would welcome the Nazi’s as ‘liberators’ and wanted to seize the Soviet
economy to eradicate Communism.
AIMS
1. Eradicate Communism
a. Hitler believed many would welcome the Nazis as ‘liberators’
2. Take Control of the Soviet Economy
a. Communism was ideologically at odds with socialism
3. Military Victory
a. Wanted to secure lebensraum
4. Continue the Holocaust
WHAT WAS THE KEY TO GERMANY’S SUCCESS?
1. USSR was Unprepared
a. Stalin refused to believe that a Nazi invasion was imminent
b. Didn’t want to take any visible steps towards against an invasion in case this
provoked Hitler
2. Disorganised Leadership
a. The purges had left the Russian military High Command without the best generals
2. Buffer Zone
OPERATION BARBAROSSA
This was the name for the invasion of Russia by the Germans in 1941.
o It was originally 1st June, however it was delayed by 3 weeks because of a crisis within
Yugoslavia that caused Hitler to invade in another Blitzkrieg campaign. This delay didn’t
seem significant at the time, it led to a shorter time to complete the campaign before
the harsh Russian winter weather affected the campaign.
o It officially began on 22nd June 1941.
It was originally planned for as an invasion by 3 groups
o A central thrust towards Moscow,
o One north through the Baltic states and into Leningrad
o One to the south-east through Ukraine and into the Caucasus region.
Hitler had been preparing since October 1940.
o This shows the extent of Stalin’s naivety and how it led the Russian army’s under
preparedness in terms of war.
Hitler believed many would welcome the Nazi’s as ‘liberators’ and wanted to seize the Soviet
economy to eradicate Communism.
AIMS
1. Eradicate Communism
a. Hitler believed many would welcome the Nazis as ‘liberators’
2. Take Control of the Soviet Economy
a. Communism was ideologically at odds with socialism
3. Military Victory
a. Wanted to secure lebensraum
4. Continue the Holocaust
WHAT WAS THE KEY TO GERMANY’S SUCCESS?
1. USSR was Unprepared
a. Stalin refused to believe that a Nazi invasion was imminent
b. Didn’t want to take any visible steps towards against an invasion in case this
provoked Hitler
2. Disorganised Leadership
a. The purges had left the Russian military High Command without the best generals
2. Buffer Zone
