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Stalin Waiting For Hitler: The Lead-Up to World War II

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Published in Stalin: Waiting For Hitler 1929 1941

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Stalin: Waiting for Hitler, 1929-1941

by Stephen Kotkin

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	68230 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	1173 pages

From 1929 to 1941, Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler, two of the most infamous dictators in history, played a deadly game of brinkmanship as they vied for control of Europe. This article examines the events that led up to the outbreak of World War II, focusing on the key role played by Stalin and Hitler.

The Rise of Stalin

Joseph Stalin rose to power in the Soviet Union in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution. He was a ruthless dictator who quickly consolidated his power and established a totalitarian regime. Under Stalin, the Soviet Union became a major industrial power, but it also became a place of terror and oppression.

Stalin was a master of realpolitik. He was willing to make alliances with anyone, no matter how unsavory, in order to achieve his goals. In the early 1930s, Stalin allied with Nazi Germany in order to divide up Eastern Europe. This alliance, known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, gave Stalin a free hand to invade Poland in 1939.

The Rise of Hitler

Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany in the early 1930s. He was a charismatic leader who promised to restore Germany to its former glory. Hitler was also a ruthless dictator who quickly established a totalitarian regime in Germany.

Hitler was a rabid anti-Semite and he believed that Germany needed to expand its territory in order to provide "lebensraum" (living space) for its people. In the mid-1930s, Hitler began to rearm Germany in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. He also began to annex territory, starting with the Rhineland in 1936.

The Road to War

As the 1930s progressed, Stalin and Hitler became increasingly suspicious of each other. Stalin feared that Hitler was planning to invade the Soviet Union, while Hitler feared that Stalin was planning to undermine Nazi Germany. In 1941, Hitler decided to launch a preemptive strike against the Soviet Union. Operation Barbarossa, as it was known, began on June 22, 1941.

The outbreak of World War II was a major turning point in history. It was the deadliest conflict in human history, and it led to the downfall of both Stalin and Hitler. The war also had a profound impact on the world, shaping the political, economic, and social landscape of the 20th century.

The lead-up to World War II was a complex and tragic story. It was a story of ambition, greed, and paranoia. Stalin and Hitler were two of the most evil dictators in history, and their actions led to the deaths of millions of people.

We must never forget the lessons of World War II. We must never allow dictators to rise to power again. We must never allow ourselves to be divided by hatred and intolerance. We must always stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.

Stalin: Waiting for Hitler, 1929-1941

by Stephen Kotkin

4.7 out of 5