1) What had the Soviet Union believed since the late 1920s?

That Germany was preparing for war.

2) What happened in 1933?

Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan signed a treaty acknowledging communism as the common enemy

3) What did this lead to?

Heavier focus on the military-Recruited spies

diverted economics towards rearmament

4) What undermined these measures?

Stalin’s paranoia & purges

5) What happened to the military? (3)

• Discipline was restored• Officers and Commanders

reintroduced.• Army was purged to ensure

loyalty

6) What advantage did Russia have over the rest of Europe?

Huge network of spies across Europe

7) Why did Stalin not make the most of this?

He refused to trust his intelligence

service

8) Why was the Third Five-Year Plan never completed?

Stalin’s purges prevented it- caused chaos

9) How much was spent on rearmament in the Third Five-Year Plan?

4200 million Roubles!

10) How many new factories were dedicated to the production of explosives?

Twenty-four

11) How did Russia’s spending compare with that of Germany?

Well- size of their economy meant they could spend more, and still

take up less of its national income.

12) When was the Nazi- Soviet Pact signed?

24th August 1939

13) What did the public section of the Pact say? (3)

That Russia and Germany would respect each other’s territories,

to settle any disagreements through negotiation, and to increase trade as a sign of

friendship.

14) What did the secret section of the Pact say?

That they would divide Eastern Europe between them, into two

“spheres of interest”

15) Who was responsible for this pact with Hitler?

Stalin alone

16) Why did Stalin cut a deal with Hitler? (6)

• No viable alternatives• An attempt to “buy time” before a war with

Germany• Following Lenin’s example• Stalin admired Hitler• Stalin was keen to recapture European

territory that had belonged to the Tsar• Stalin didn’t think Britain and France were

interested in an equal partnership

17) When did Stalin think Germany would break the Pact?

May 1942

18) When did Germany break the pact?

June 1941

19) Were Russia prepared?

No!