WI: Stalin Dies in 1940

I'm not sure of the answer, but this is a very interesting PoD.

Much hinges on how long the power struggle to succeed him takes.

If Stalin dies exactly 1 year before Barbarossa (22 June 1940), it is 4 days before Molotov delivers the ultimatum demanding Romania give up Bukovina and Bessarabia. I suspect the ultimatum would still be delivered, but it could play an interesting part in the power struggle.

If the power struggle ends quickly, what would the attitudes of different possible successors be to the Nazi-Soviet pact? If the Soviets stop deliveries of resources to Germany earlier than OTL, it will have big effects on what Germany can do in the war in the West and on the eventual Barbarossa.

There's alot of scope for the early stages of Barbarossa going differently. If the Soviets do even a little bit better in the opening stages, it has big implications down the line. On the other hand, if the Soviets do worse, I don't see much change - as things stood, distance and weather had more to do with German difficulties at the early stages of Barbarossa.

I do wonder how the Soviet army would fight if there was a power struggle making command from the center weak.

fasquardon
 
Top