What were the main reasons for Germany's invasion of Russia? My understanding is that it was primarily ideological(lebensraum and hatred of the communists). Strategically, what did Germany gain by invading Russia?
Also, how was the war sold to the public? Did the Germans resort to using some sort of propaganda? I remember reading that the war was sold as being a preemptive one against a possible Russia invasion. I'm not sure how accurate this is.
If someone could elaborate on the above 2 points it would be great.
Initially, one of the main reasons for the German invasion of Russia was food. The Nazi regime wanted to Germany to be able to support itself agriculturally, without having to rely on imports from the Soviet Union. The German administration had perceived the vast plains of Ukraine and southern Russia as the perfect solution to Germany's food issues. The ground was fertile and full of minerals, so crops could be brought back in surplus to the German people (obviously with the sacrifice of the rest of the Russian people, who would be seen as a deficit.) In fact, Hitler envisioned the invading German forces as being able to supply their own food from the lands they captured, meaning less supplies were needed to be sent to the eastern front. Of course Operation Barbarossa was a failure, and the crop yields of the captured lands supplied one third of the food that Germany needed, let alone hoped for.
From what I know, the German government sold the idea of an invasion of the Soviet Union through the notion of a 'self-sufficient Germany.' Hitler stated that there would be no food shortages like in the first world war, and some day in the future, people could travel to the new German frontiers in their 'people's cars' (Volkswagons) and spend holidays in the new lands.
Source: The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan.
The idea of expanding German towards the East was one of the primary objectives. However during the War the attention was pulled West because of France and Britain. After the defeat of France, you have the problem of how to fight Britain.
Neither the Luftwaffe nor the Navy could do anything to knock Britain out of the War. Taking over the Empure was hardly possible without a far better Navy.
Now Hitler had always imagend a Eastward expanding Germany, eventually alling with Britain and taking out the US. It was always in the back of his mind that Britain would eventually see that it was much better to join him. He was convinced that if Britain had no more potential allies on the continent, they would come to terms.
So two things came together, eastword expantion for land (food), taking out Britains last hope.
A third factor was the problem that the Soviets were increaingly bolder in their demands towards German. As long as the Brits were keeping up the Blockade, German had to relay on Russia for most of its vital imorts. If Russia was not conquered it would soon be impossibe for Germany to fight on, without Russian support. An attack on Russia gained the many Stratigially important resources without having to pay for them with valuble technical knowlage and products.
It impossible to know what factor was how important. But I think these three together give you the reason why they wanted to invade Russia and why they did it in 1941.