Could Germany Have Won World War II by Forming an Alliance with Russia?

The idea of Germany allying with Russia during World War II is a fascinating counterfactual scenario. Here are several factors to consider:

Ideological Differences

The Nazi regime and the Soviet Union had fundamentally opposing ideologies—fascism versus communism. An alliance would have required overcoming deep-seated mutual distrust and hostility. Given their history and Hitler’s disdain for Slavs and communism, such an alliance was unlikely. The ideological differences alone would pose a significant barrier to any potential cooperation.

Military Strategy

If Germany had allied with the Soviet Union, they could have coordinated their military strategies. This might have allowed them to avoid the two-front war that became a significant disadvantage after Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. A joint invasion of Western Europe or a coordinated effort against Britain could have changed the dynamics of the war. Such an alliance could have led to a more unified front, making it more challenging for Allied forces to counterattack.

Resource Sharing

An alliance could have enabled better resource sharing, particularly in terms of oil, food, and military equipment. This could have bolstered Germany's war effort, especially in sustaining their campaigns. Access to Soviet resources could have provided the German military with the necessary supplies to sustain their prolonged war efforts.

Impact on Other Allies

A German-Soviet alliance might have altered the responses from other countries. For instance, the United Kingdom and the United States would have faced a much more formidable opponent in Europe. This could have delayed or complicated their entry into the war. The additional resources and military strength provided by an alliance could have transformed the balance of power in favor of the Axis powers.

Long-term Sustainability

Even if an initial alliance had been successful, the long-term sustainability of such a relationship would have been questionable. Both regimes were expansionist and had conflicting territorial ambitions. This could have led to future conflicts and the breakdown of any initial alliance. The history of both nations is filled with examples where such temporary agreements did not hold long-term.

Historical Precedents

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939 showed a temporary non-aggression agreement between Germany and the USSR but it was ultimately a tactical move rather than a genuine alliance. The subsequent invasion of the Soviet Union by Germany in 1941 underscores the fragility of such arrangements. Historical precedents demonstrate that these alliances were rarely sustainable due to underlying tensions and differing goals.

In summary, while an alliance between Germany and Russia could have theoretically changed the course of the war, the deep ideological divides, historical enmity, and strategic ambitions of both nations would likely have made such an alliance unstable and ultimately unsustainable.