In a timeline where WW2 is avoided by the Nazis never coming to power, how would USSR be effected?
Would the USSR last longer than OTL(1991) or dissolve faster without it?
IOTL WW2 had a massive human cost on the USSR, 20 million people killed, severely damaging the demographic growth of the country, without WW2 ofcourse the population would be immensely higher which could lead to a more powerful economy and labour force.
But while WW2 was diasterious in term of human life lost for USSR, the positives are there, they gained new territory in the baltics and installed Communist puppet regimes all over Eastern Europe. Stalin also became a war hero for leading the USSR to defeating the nazis, without WW2 is Stalin ever seen in such a bright light? Does he stay in power aslong without WW2 boosting his cult of personality?
Also without WW2 does the cold war ever really become a thing? Maybe without the Cold War being so intense the USSR could last for even longer?
What do you guys think?