Josef Stalin

"In the Soviet army it takes more courage to retreat than advance."

          Stalin was a very serious man and had a very intimidating presence. He disregarded the feelings of others, and had an unsurpassable rage and sense of criticism. He was, however, arguably the most successful leader in the times of the Second World War.

          In his radio speech on July 3, 1941, shortly after the German invasion, Stalin rallied the military and country using fear and intimidation. He relied on lebensraum, Hitler’s idea of German conquest of the Soviet Union to support the so-called superior Aryan people. In response, people were willing to sacrifice themselves for their own country – Mother Russia. In addition, Stalin re-announced what is called the “Scorched Earth Policy”, infamously employed in the War of 1812 against Napoleon.

          In the case of the Second World War, Stalin told citizens to retreat with the army when necessary, and to relocate or destroy valuable items – fuel, wheat, cattle, and metals – to prevent them from falling in the enemies’ hands. The dictator encouraged partisan warfare with guerrilla detachments and militia to fend off the Nazis and assist the Red Army. The citizens were to destroy transportation routes, communications, and set depots on fire in an effort to disrupt enemy activities.

View Stalin's radio broadcast on July 3, 1941, here.