Interpretation of USSR Entrance
History: KS3, topic 19.1.16
Interpretations of the Soviet Union’s Entrance in the War
Historians disagree over the significance of the Soviet Union entering the war.
Traditional interpretation
- Traditionally, historians believed that Hitler’s attack took the Soviet Union by surprise.
- They also argue that Germany was the stronger army.
Revisionist interpretation
- However, after the Soviet records were released in 1989 historians began to reassess World War Two.
- Evidence suggests that Stalin was planning on invading Germany in 1941.
- The Soviet army was ready for war and well prepared. However, Stalin weakened the army through executing so many of his generals.
Test yourself on Interpretation of USSR Entrance
Who do traditional Soviet historians argue had a stronger army?