History of Europe

Why did Germany want to take over Russia?

There are a number of reasons why Germany wanted to take over Russia during World War II.

Economic factors. Germany was a resource-poor country, and it needed access to the raw materials that Russia had in abundance, such as oil, coal, and iron ore. By conquering Russia, Germany hoped to secure these resources and become self-sufficient.

Strategic factors. Russia was a major military power, and Germany saw it as a threat to its own security. By defeating Russia, Germany hoped to eliminate this threat and gain control of Eastern Europe.

Ideological factors. The Nazis believed that Germany was superior to other races, such as Slavs and Jews. They wanted to create a "Greater Germany" that would encompass all of the Germanic peoples, and they saw Russia as a potential source of lebensraum (living space) for the German people.

Historical factors. There had been a long history of conflict between Germany and Russia. In World War I, Russia and Germany had fought on opposite sides, and the Germans had been defeated. The Nazis wanted to avenge this defeat and restore Germany's status as a major power.

In conclusion, there were a number of factors that motivated Germany to want to take over Russia during World War II. These included economic, strategic, ideological, and historical factors.