TieFragrant53 t1_jbwxjuo wrote on March 12, 2023 at 10:21 AM

Did the battlefront failure of the USSR in the Russo-Finnish Winter War in 1939 give Hitler the confidence to invade the USSR in 1941? It was mentioned in the linked video but I am thinking that even without this Hitler would have invaded the USSR. Thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gba7ApKhHWY

TheBattler t1_jbx0bik wrote on March 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM

Invading the USSR was always going to be a necessity. Hitler needed to secure access to oil in the Caucasus and possibly Iran (who were keen to ally with him).

The Soviets had a Non-Aggression Pact with the Nazis that was supposed to last until 1949, but they broke it in 1941. I think it's more likely that the Winter War simply shifted the invasion timetable earlier.

tatramatra t1_jc1d38m wrote on March 13, 2023 at 9:44 AM

There is no evidence of Winter War having any direct influence on Hitler's plans. The goal of invasion of the USSR was laid down by Hitler before he even came to power. It was (in his opinion) necessity to carve out "living space" and colonial empire for Germany and Hitler saw that space in the Eastern Europe.

As for timetable, it was set by the developments on the Western front and general situation in Europe and had nothing to do with Finland.