leadership. (Lih) The war, however, allowed the strengths of Stalin's system to come to the forefront. He was able to mobilize a great deal of power, in the form of men and machines, in a short amount of time. Despite chaotic conditions within the country, the government was able to relocate workers to the place where they could be of most benefit to the Soviet Union and counteract most opposition to his plans. (Lih) The Soviet Union had powerful allies during this war. Both the United States and Great Britain opposed Germany, and an alliance was quickly formed. Programs such as the Lend-Lease Agreement allowed Russia to gain technological resources necessary for its survival. (Lih) The Soviets' most important battle was at Stalingrad (below), a city named for its current leader when he won a battle there during the civil wars. His leadership was once again effective, as the city held despite numerous assaults by the Germans. Hitler expended many of his finest fighters in the attempt to take the city. Their surrender marked the beginning of the end for the German forces. (Lih) The Russians took back the land it had surrendered to the Germans during their original invasion. (Ropp) The Red Army proceeded into Europe, fighting many bloody battles along the way. By 2 May 1945, the Soviets had taken the city of Berlin. When they joined the United States and Great Britain at the Elbe River, it marked the end of the war in Europe. The Soviets then joined the war effort against Japan, but although they fought some hard battles, they were a minor factor after the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (Lih) D. The Soviet Union's Postbellum Period Stalin justified his oppression by claiming that it was necessary for the Soviet Union to be victorious during the war. The people of the U.S.S.R. accepted this explanation, mainly because they won the war and believed that this repression would end as peace ensued....
