General Discussion

The presence of Russians and Russian culture meant no more to them than Native Americans meant to the cattle and railroad barons in the US. They just wanted the land and resources. Well, and maybe a little slave labor, until they wore out.

I seem to remember at least one influential German (can't remember who) referring to Russia as "Germany's Africa" -- reflecting the 19th-centurey "Scramble for Africa" which culminated, ironically, in the Berlin Conference of 1884-5.

Ukraine, of course, they wanted for their granary, and the Baku area for its oil. When the Russians blocked the German advance on Baku, that was the first sounding of the death knell for Hitler's plans. Defeat was inevitable without abundant fuel for Germany's motorized forces, and he knew it.


ETA: Interesting to compare the German notion of lebensraum with the American notion of "Manifest Destiny" ... both excuses for taking what you want, and claiming it's yours by right.