Describe The Relationship Between Nazi Germany And The Ussr

The relationship between Nazi Germany and the USSR became strained as soon as Hitler came to power in 1933. The Nazi and Soviet ideologies were almost exactly opposite, Germany, a fascist country which believed in a superior race, and the USSR, a socialist country who believed in the equality for all. Additionally, one of Germany’s “aims” was to gain living space in the east, the USSR. A pending invasion from Germany strained the relationship between the two political leaders, Hitler and Stalin (Todd 73).

By the spring of 1933, Adolf Hitler had risen to power. It had been fourteen years since the Treaty of Versailles, and Germany was in economic ruin. Its people were starving, and the great depression had affected it worse than any other
In the autumn, Hitler launched an attack on Moscow. Stalin in response, brought in Siberian troops as reinforcements and ordered ditches to be dug around the city for defense. The Germans were threatening Stalingrad, Leningrad and the Caucasus. However, due to the mud and autumnal rains, their progress slowed and their supplies began to dwindle. By November the mud froze and the temperature dropped so severely that the tanks, weapons, and soldiers froze, all unsuited to the harsh winter. The Siberian soldiers, however, were adapted to the weather, and the Red Army launched a counterattack saving the capital (The Eastern 20 - 26).

In August 1942, Germany invaded Stalingrad. For two months, Germany bombarded the city pushing the Soviets back, however as they entered the city, the Red Army launched a surprise counter-attack. After four days the Germans surrendered and were now under siege. The pressures of the battle were high, Stalin could not lose the city named after himself, and Hitler could not lose the battle for a city named after his enemy. Eventually, the 6th German army surrendered, and the image of invincible Germany was