Without WWII happening, Germany beating France, and 'wounding' the USSR by invading it, the USSR would have been naturally set to rule over Europe

[raharris1973]

Every now and then I've seen a theory on alternate history or historical discussion boards that can be distilled this way, "without WWII happening, Germany beating France, and 'wounding' the USSR by invading it, the USSR would have been naturally set to rule over Europe, in time."

Is this theory:

The most logical extrapolation of geopolitical capabilities and intentions over the mid-20th century in a no-Nazis or less successful Nazis TL

A very unlikely extrapolation of of geopolitical capabilities and intentions over the mmid-20th century in a no-Nazis or less successful Nazis TL

Likelihood is impossible to estimate, but it is one of many logical possible outcomes of the mid-20th century in a no-Nazis or less successful Nazis TL

Likelihood is impossible to estimate, it could happen, but it mostly reveals the political biases or obsessions of the person proposing it

 

[WolfBear]

Very unlikely, I think. The one wildcard would be if the Soviet Union successfully develops nuclear weapons AND delivery systems for them ahead of everyone else, though. But even then, a new World War is likely to be quite a severe bloodbath for the Soviet Union. What's it going to do? Nuke civilian areas in other countries non-stop? Use tactical nukes on military or strategic targets?

 

[Buba]

No WWII means no USSR ascendency, as UK, France and Germany all are stronger than OTL.

 

[Val the Moofia Boss]

The USSR was struggling against the Germans. Stalin kept begging the Allies to open up a second front. If the USSR couldn't fight the Germans without Allied help, then the USSR probably can't win against the allies. The USSR might be able to make some gains but they won't dominate Europe.

 

[Scottty]

The USSR was struggling against the Germans. Stalin kept begging the Allies to open up a second front. If the USSR couldn't fight the Germans without Allied help, then the USSR probably can't win against the allies. The USSR might be able to make some gains but they won't dominate Europe.

Well they were already in a position of half their most important land being occupied.