Student Question
Why did Russia join World War II?
Quick answer:
Russia, then the Soviet Union, joined World War II after Germany violated the 1939 non-aggression pact by invading Soviet territory in 1941. This forced the Soviet Union to align with the Allies, including Britain and France, against Germany, Japan, and Italy. The Soviet defense, aided by harsh winters, led to significant German losses, such as at the Battle of Stalingrad, marking a turning point in the war and contributing to Germany's eventual defeat.
The Soviet Union had signed a non-aggression pact with Germany just before World War II began. The Germans didn’t want to fight a two-front war in World War II, and the Soviet Union didn’t want to go to war. This agreement made sense for both sides.
However, in 1941, Germany broke this agreement and invaded the Soviet Union. Thus, the Soviet Union had no choice but to join the war and support the Allies, Great Britain and France, in the war against Germany, Japan, and Italy.
The Soviet Union defended every inch of their land. After some initial success, the Germans got bogged down in the Soviet Union. The cold, Russian winters were a factor that negatively impacted Germany. Germany suffered major losses in the Battle of Stalingrad. Germany was on the retreat after this battle and never went on the offensive again. Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union was one of Germany’s fatal errors in World War II, leading to their eventual defeat.
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