Why Didn't the Allies Attack the USSR in the Aftermath of World War II?

It is a common misconception that the Allies, including countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, intended to invade the Soviet Union after the conclusion of World War II. However, the reality is that the dissolution of the Soviet Union into its constituent republics post-1991 makes this scenario logistically impossible. Instead, the focus shifted towards maintaining global peace and stability.

The Soviet Union's Sovereign Republics

After the end of World War II, the Soviet Union, which was formed by 15 sovereign republics, officially ceased to exist. These 15 republics, each with its own land and government, were not subject to further invasion since they were the new nations that emerged from the former territory of the USSR. As a result, regions like Crimea, Transnistria, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia became part of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, respectively. However, the former republic of Russia, despite being a major contributor to the wartime alliance, invaded its own former sisters to claim these territories.

The Allied Perspective

Some argue that the Soviet Union was a part of the Allied coalition that was fighting against Nazi Germany. However, it's important to recognize that the collective efforts of the Allies were more about defeating a common enemy than forming new alliances that could lead to further conflict.

Denial of Plans for Further Conquest

While General George Patton had expressed desires to move further east, including capturing parts of the Soviet Union, such plans were not sanctioned by the Allied leadership. War-torn and exhausted, the Western powers were not in the mood to undertake further military campaigns, especially ones that would require significant resources and manpower.

Strategic and Political Considerations

The geopolitical climate post-World War II was marked by the beginning of the Cold War, where tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union began to rise. Churchill had already implemented plans to address the potential for instability in Eastern Europe, but they were ultimately deemed impractical given the circumstances. Retooling the freshly defeated German army to aid in a conquest of the Soviet Union would have been both costly and politically risky, much like scenarios in many video games.

Resolutely Focused on Peace

With the defeat of Nazi Germany, the advantage and primary focus of the Allies shifted towards maintaining peace and preventing another conflict. Russian leadership was content with their gains, and there was a consensus across international borders that further aggression would lead to more suffering and conflict.

Conclusion

The sentiment towards the Soviet Union at the end of World War II was not one of hostility, but rather that of pragmatic understanding and a determination to prevent a repeat of the devastating conflict. Patton's foresight regarding future conflicts with the Soviet Union might have been accurate, but the reality was that the Allies had other priorities, and the logistics and political landscape of the time made any such plans infeasible.