The Influence Of Stalin During The Cold War

The thing that was not in doubt however, was that Stalin would try to defend the state depite fear and lack of strategy. He would go on to use the same courage, boldness and endurance that he showcased during the Bolshevik Revolution. His words to the people “ The German invaders want a war of extermination aginist the people of USSR. Well, if the Germans want a war of extermination, they will get it” were convincing (Sakwa 254). His actions during the revolution proved decisive given that there were reports indicating that after approimately 3 million Red Army troops became prisoners of war by October 1941, Stalin was contemplating soliciting for peace as the Nazis began invading Moscow (Sakwa 244-245). Thus, his choice to remain and fight was a critical juncture in the war.

It would seem at this point that he had a plan for any eventuality sending most of the government officers to east of the Urals to continue the attack in case Moscow was completely subjugated (Games 34-35). Stalin did this while audaciously remaining in the trapped city to peronally lead the defense. He wanted to take complete charge of any attack that would happen. On December 1941, on orders of Stalin, several Soviet armies that were located in Moscow unexpectedly struck the Nazis (Games 41). After considerable fighting between the two opponents, the Nazis crumpled and retreated. The Red Army soldiers captured many German troops. Hitler’s plan to beseige and capture Moscow was thwarted and a bloody catastrophy was the result. This battle was decisive and the first main defeat for the Nazis during WWII. Stalin helped dismiss the Nazi myth that Hitler’s army was