A Changed Soviet Union Imagined

Anchises

Banned
What if Stalin died during World war 2?

Depends on how and when Stalin dies.

1941 at a point where the Wehrmacht seems unstoppable the Soviets might fall.

In 1944 we probably wouldn't see the same kind of destalinization we did IOTL. He would probably be an immortal hero and his crimes would be justified as "necessary preparations against the fascists".
 
A much more competent campaign management by USSR
But by whom? Stalin was an expert at purging everyone who showed potentially threatening competence. The potential successors were powerful men because of their loyalty to Stalin and not because of their innate ability to perform their jobs.
 

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
Donor
Monthly Donor
I think if he dies in the worst times of 1941 or 1942, Russia just might collapse. Somewhat more likely is that it loses more cities and forces and has a harder comeback, somewhat like Nationalist China against Japan.

If he dies in 1943 or 1945 it might not improve command decisions much - he seemed to learn to stay out of military micromanagement from Stalingrad.

Big potential differences are for things like participation in the Pacific War, and post-war politics.
 
But by whom? Stalin was an expert at purging everyone who showed potentially threatening competence. The potential successors were powerful men because of their loyalty to Stalin and not because of their innate ability to perform their jobs.
Yet his own daughter defected to the west.
 

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
Donor
Monthly Donor
the response to this wide-open ended question so far is rather underwhelming.

There is a lot of potential for discussion (even though I am sure there has been discussion of it in the past).
 

Attachments

  • 3247E63F00000578-0-image-a-17_1458209765198.jpg
    3247E63F00000578-0-image-a-17_1458209765198.jpg
    93.2 KB · Views: 115
  • 57541.jpeg
    57541.jpeg
    62.3 KB · Views: 90
Top