Final answer:
Hitler stopped the Blitz in June 1941 to redirect his forces toward invading the Soviet Union with Operation Barbarossa. This strategic shift was due to his quest for resources, desire for more territory, and to combat communism and the Jewish population as part of his ideological goals. The failed attempt to achieve air superiority over Britain and the increased focus on the Eastern Front marked a new phase in WWII.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Did Hitler Stop the Blitz in June 1941?
Adolf Hitler diverted his strategic focus from Britain to the Soviet Union when he launched Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. After failing to achieve air superiority over Britain during the Battle of Britain, Hitler's attention shifted to Eastern Europe because of his pursuit of raw materials, desire for lebensraum (living space), and the intention to eliminate Jews and communists from Europe. Despite warnings from the Allies, the Soviet Union was caught unprepared by the German offensive. The massive scale of Operation Barbarossa involved 3 million troops, thousands of tanks, and aircraft, marking the beginning of a new phase in World War II, where the German military would face the vastness and harsh conditions of the Soviet Union.
Significance of the Strategic Shift
In redirecting his military might eastward, Hitler aimed for a quick victory that would secure resources and weaken the Soviet Union, a nation he saw as a major ideological and political adversary. This invasion marked a violation of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact and signified a monumental shift in the European theatre of the war. Operation Barbarossa resulted in the eventual weakening of the German forces as they were overstretched and ill-prepared for the Soviet winter, contributing to the turning point of the war in favor of the Allies.