WWII Mobilization: Soviet Union

WWII Mobilization

The Soviet Union

The Soviet Union

Known to the Soviets as the Great Patriotic War, the German-Soviet war
witnessed the greatest land battles in history, as well as incredible ruthlessness.
The inition military defeats suffered by the Soviet Union led to drastic emergency
measures that affected the lives of the civilian population. The city of Leningrad
(now St. Petersburg), for example, experienced 900 days of siege. Its inhabitants
became so desperate for food that they even ate dogs, cats, and mice.
Approximately 1.5 million people died in the city.

As the German army made its rapid advance into Soviet territory, Soviet workers
dismantled and shipped the factories in the western part of the Soviet Union to the
interior regions.

The Soviet Union

Known to the Soviets as the Great Patriotic War, the German-Soviet war
witnessed the greatest land battles in history, as well as incredible ruthlessness.
The initial military defeats suffered by the Soviet Union led to drastic emergency
measures that affected the lives of the civilian population. The city of Leningrad
(now St. Petersburg), for example, experienced 900 days of siege. Its inhabitants
became so desperate for food that they even ate dogs, cats, and mice.
Approximately 1.5 million people died in the city.

As the German army made its rapid advance into Soviet territory, Soviet workers
dismantled and shipped the factories in the western part of the Soviet Union to the
interior regions.

Multiple Choice

What was the German-Soviet War known to the Soviets as?

• the Great Patriotic War

• The War of American Aggression

• The War of Soviet Liberation

• The War of European Unification

Multiple Choice

How many days of siege did the city of Leningrad experience?

• 50

• 900

• 100

• 2

Propaganda

The work Soviet women and girls
performed in industries mines, and
railroads was crucial to the war effort.

In addition to factory work, Soviet
women were responsible for digging
anti tank trenches and worked as
air-raid wardens. Some women even
served in the Soviet military as
snipers or in aircrews of bomber
squadrons.

“We Defended Leningrad! We Will Restore It!”

Stalin called the widespread military and industrial mobilization of the nation a
“battle of machines.” The Soviets won, producing 78,000 tanks and 98,000 artillery
pieces. In 1943, 55% of the Soviet national income went for war materials,
compared with 15% in 1940. As a result of the emphasis on military goods, Soviet
citizens experienced severe shortages of both food and housing.

Multiple Choice

What did Stalin call the widespread military and industrial mobilization of the nation?

• The Great Patriotic Attack

• The War of Attrition

• Battle of machines

• The War of Industrialization

Multiple Choice

What was the consequence of the Soviet Union switching to a high emphasis on military goods?

• Soviet citizens experienced severe shortages

• The Soviet Union experienced a period of political growth

• The Soviet Union experienced a period of increased political freedom

• The Soviet Union experienced a period of increased international influence

Soviet Women in WWII

Soviet women played a major role in
the war effort. Women and girls
worked in industries, mines, and
railroads. Overall, the number of
women working in industry increased
almost 60%. The Soviet Union was
the only country in World War II to
use women in battle. Soviet women
served as snipers and in aircrews of
bomber squadrons.

“Lady Death” of the Red Army: Lyudmila Pavlichenko | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans

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Multiple Choice

The only country in WWII to use women in Battle was

• Germany

• United States

• United Kingdom

• The Soviet Union

Multiple Choice

What types of occupations did Soviet women have in the military?

• Snipers and in aircrews of bomber squadrons

• Infantry soldiers and tank operators

• Logistics officers and army leaders

• Radio operators and artillery specialists