Department Chair
Andrew D. Nicholls, Ph.D., Professor of History
Date of Award
5-2017
Access Control
Open Access
Degree Name
History, M.A.
Department
History and Social Studies Education Department
Advisor
Dr. York Norman, Associate Professor of History and Social Studies Education
Department Home page
http://history.buffalostate.edu/
First Reader
Dr. York Norman, Associate Professor of History and Social Studies Education
Second Reader
Dr. Michael Lazich, Associate Professor of History and Social Studies Education
Abstract
World War II was arguably the most heroic event in the history of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), so much that it was known as the “Great Patriotic War.” Tens of millions of Russians were killed during the large scale conflict against their “fascist foes.” Still, the large population of the USSR were moved to action primarily by mass propaganda distributed by the Communist Party leaders. Women played a large role during the war, not just in the factories on the home front or as partisans, but as combat nurses and snipers as well. Since the losses were heavy on the Soviet side, the Party urged women to take up arms and fight on the front lines. When the war ended in a Red Army victory, the Party did everything in its power to stifle the voices of the women who had served by fueling rumors that women veterans had joined the army merely to find husbands and by emphasizing the importance of domestic women and motherhood over any military achievements.
Recommended Citation
De Jesus Reyes, Michelle, "Experiences of Soviet Women Combatants During World War II" (2017). History Theses. 41.
https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/history_theses/41
Included in
Eastern European Studies Commons, European History Commons, Military History Commons, Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies Commons, Women's History Commons, Women's Studies Commons
