Research and Describe The Soviet War Against the Nazis (Research Paper Sample)

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The Soviet War against the Nazis
In 1812, the French army invaded the Soviet Union, which led to the usage of the term “patriotic war.” After the Great War of 941-1945, the decoration order of the Patriotic War was re-used. The award was presented to Soviet fighters and other men for “a heroic act performed during the fight for the fatherland.” Although relations between the United States and Russia have been weak in the period before the invasion, the treaty between the two nations between 1941 and 1945 proved successful and was critical to pushing for the conquering of Germany (Gallicchio 990). If not for the effort of the Soviet Union on the Eastern battleground, Hitler could have easily destroyed the world.
The onset of the war was preceded by the signing of a Soviet-Nazi pact to separate the lands in between their territories. Eventually, Hitler turned against his foes by ruthlessly leading destruction using the dreaded Wehrmacht Army. Lands belonging to the Soviet Union were pivotal to the Germans intention to secure Lebensraum for Germans. Hitler directed the annexing of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, in operation code-named Barbarossa, therefore, intentionally breaking the non-initiation agreement signed two years ago by the two countries. The intrusion is regarded the most significant the German military exercise of World War II.
Combat success took place immediately throughout the remainder of 1941, as Germany invaded Soviet-controlled Ukraine, the Baltic States, and Poland. Weeks after the occupation started, Hitler outlined his plans for the territories Germany would conquer from the Soviet Union. Three army factions comprised of approximately three million Nazi soldiers, flanked by 700,000 forces from Germany backed states like Romania and Finland, and later divided by corps ambushed the Soviet Union across a broad front (Andreyev 16). The front extended from the Black Sea in the south to the Baltic Sea in the north.
Based on the amount of destruction caused, the battle on the Eastern Front was distinctive. The Soviet Union was attacked from Kiev to Stalingrad, Leningrad to the Crimea, both central cities to its economy. Most scholars argue that the United States won World War II, but that is far from the truth. From 1941, the Soviet Union experienced the full force of the Nazi war machine and perhaps played the most critical part in the alliance’s thwarting of Hitler. Numerically, a devastating ratio of 1:80 represents the number of soldiers killed in the war. For every American soldier killed, the Soviet Union suffered eighty times that amount. Additionally, it is estimated that 25 million Soviet citizens died through mass-murder operations.
Apart from the loss estimated, the rapidly growing industries of U.S.S.R came down through the ruthless destruction of property perpetrated by Hitler. 11 million soldiers also perished, and as much as 70 percent of homes in Russia were left without a member of their extended family. In figures, the material damage caused by the Holocaust was recorded as the destruction of thousands of miles of railway and roads, 43,000 libraries, 6000 medical facilities, six million houses, 82,000 schools, 35,000 factories, and 98,000 farms, 32,000 factories (Weinberg 77). By approximation, the Soviet Union lost a quarter of its national wealth and 15% of its population as a direct consequence of the war.
Despite the amount of destruction caused, the U.S.S.R finally won the war. The war that was led by Stalin made the country earn the immense respect it has right now. Many scholars argue that the war had come at a higher cost than anticipated, but the result was better than what could have happened had Hitler won. Even though Stalin openly advocated for communism, it was a much lesser evil than what Hitler wanted to implement. He wanted to rule the world, give his German people the status they deserved in society. In other words, the war was a racial attack that sought to destroy Jews and second-rate citizens.
Vladimir Putin’s government still commemorates their victory against the Nazi by holding annual celebrations just like his predecessors. May 9 was declared a holiday immediately after the end of the war in 1945. The day is described as victory day and is the most important Russian holidays (Edel 44). Even in today’s Russia, the holiday extends from just being a public celebration to a personal one for Russians who remember the brutality they experienced. With Vladimir Putin in power, Victory Day has grown to be the second most commemorated event in Russia, only exceeded by New Year’s Eve in the country’s fondness.
Recent research conducted by the Levada Center shows that almost half the population in Russia acknowledged that May 9 is one of the most celebrated holidays of the calendar, in contrast with only 30 percent in 2004. The increased popularity is a result of considerable efforts from the government to reinstate emblems of Soviet-era pride such as introducing the tune used during the war to match with the current anthem. May 9 marks the climax of all these efforts, as military processions and public mourning marches take place around the whole country. For example, more than 200 armored vehicles, 16,000 soldiers and 200 helicopters and planes took part in the most recent celebrations.
For the Kremlin, this is an occasion to tout the country’s triumphant past and showcase its current military muscle. Addressing the 70th commemoration, Putin boldly claimed that Russia deserves all the credit for ending the war and other nations should follow its example. He was directly referring to the Western countries that have snubbed the celebrations since 2014 because of Russia’s invasion of Georgia and Ukraine. It is not everyone who understands the true meaning of this day, but for the duration that Putin has stayed in power, the tale of the Great Patriotic day has acquired new symbols and meanings. Currently, it is just a show of might and not a celebration to remember those who fought to liberate Russia and the world.
Unlike in Russia, in Ukraine, conflicting views on the Soviet past and alternative interpretations of World War I...