Question
Why did the Germans at first do well in their invasion of the Soviet Union?
They enacted a scorched-earth policy.
They attacked an unprepared Soviet army.
They attacked during a harsh winter.
They quickly overran the Soviet capital.
They enacted a scorched-earth policy.
They attacked an unprepared Soviet army.
They attacked during a harsh winter.
They quickly overran the Soviet capital.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The Germans initially did well in their invasion of the Soviet Union for several reasons, but the most significant factor among the options provided is that **they attacked an unprepared Soviet army**.
When Operation Barbarossa began in June 1941, the Soviet Union was caught off guard and had not fully mobilized its forces after suffering from purges that weakened its military leadership. The German Blitzkrieg tactics, characterized by rapid and coordinated attacks using tanks, aircraft, and infantry, exploited these weaknesses effectively in the early stages of the invasion.
While the other factors mentioned—such as scorched-earth policies used by the Soviets in some areas, harsh winter conditions that later affected both sides, and the quick capture of key locations like Minsk and Smolensk—played roles in the overall conflict, the initial success of the German invasion was primarily due to the unpreparedness of the Soviet forces at the outset.
When Operation Barbarossa began in June 1941, the Soviet Union was caught off guard and had not fully mobilized its forces after suffering from purges that weakened its military leadership. The German Blitzkrieg tactics, characterized by rapid and coordinated attacks using tanks, aircraft, and infantry, exploited these weaknesses effectively in the early stages of the invasion.
While the other factors mentioned—such as scorched-earth policies used by the Soviets in some areas, harsh winter conditions that later affected both sides, and the quick capture of key locations like Minsk and Smolensk—played roles in the overall conflict, the initial success of the German invasion was primarily due to the unpreparedness of the Soviet forces at the outset.