The entry of the Soviet Union

what sphere of influence did the Nazi-Soviet pact allow the USSR to have?

Estonia, Latvia + Lithuania - although declared independence 1918-20 the red army had overthrown their govts by Oct 1939

why was the Red army weaker than the Wehrmacht army?

Stalin’s political purges saw dismissal of military officers

when did Finland sign an armistice with the Soviet Union + why?

march 1940 - Hitler took note of the poor Finland invasion as the large numbers of reserves ordered by Stalin tipped the balance in their favour

when did Hitler order the invasion of the USSR?

22nd June 1941

why did Hitler order the invasion of the USSR? (3)

1. eliminate communism

2. aware Japan planned Pearl Harbour, meaning Stalin would divert troops to fight in the pacific war

3. Hitler believed Stalin would go against Germany later in the war (this was true)

why were there disagreements in Germany about how best to invade the USSR?

Generals wanted a full-scale attack on Moscow but Hitler insisted on Leningrad + Ukraine as well so aid could be cut off and take industrial + agricultural areas

what was the relationship like between the USSR and Western democracies in the war?

informal and based on having a common enemy

when was the Anglo-Soviet treaty concluded and by who?

British Foreign secretary, Anthony Eden, and Soviet Foreign minister Molotov in May 1942

how much did the US send to the USSR under the lend-lease scheme?

500,000 motor vehicles

what did the USSR give in return of the motor vehicles?

2% of artillery, 10% of tanks and 12% of planes as well as vital food + transport