Most of us would never consider fear to be anything mor than just a personal weakness, but what if you actually live in a country where fear itself is against the law. Sounds impossible anywhere, right? But it was real, on July 27, 1943, in Russia. Joseph Stalin, the nation’s premier and dictator, ruled with an iron fist, while Adolf Hitler led Germany. As German forces pushed deeper into Russian territory, Stalin was determined to halt their advance at any cost…even his people.
Emboldened by early victories against Russia, Hitler grew ever more confident in his push to capture Leningrad and Stalingrad. Hitler was determined to rule the entire world. His worldview revolved around two concepts: territorial expansion and racial supremacy. However, the battle for Stalingrad revealed the Soviets’ superior manpower and became a huge drain on German resources and troops. The fierce Soviet defense, bolstered by reinforcements, forced the Germans back. In response, Hitler shifted his focus toward Leningrad.
Stalin needed to ensure his forces wouldn’t back down, no matter what. The drive for 
Russians to stand their ground had to apply to both officers and civilians, or he feared Leningrad would fall. That’s when he put Order Number 227 into effect. Order Number 227 stated, “Panic makers and cowards must be liquidated on the spot. Not one step backward without orders from higher headquarters! Commanders who abandon a position without such orders are traitors to the Fatherland.” In short, the order made it clear that no one could be a coward. Known as the “Not One Step Backward” order, it forced both military personnel and civilians to fight for their city.
I can see what Stalin was trying to do, but it feels like such an extreme measure. While some of Hitler’s forces might have fought to the bitter end, others might have decided their city wasn’t worth dying for. If retreat meant instant execution, then standing and fighting was the only shot at survival. It was clear to the people, that their live were expendable. As far as gaining loyalty goes, this wasn’t exactly the smartest plan, because forced loyalty rarely works. Still, you can’t underestimate the love a patriot has for their country. The 
“not one step backward” order seemed almost unnecessary, as on the very day it was issued, Russian peasants and other supporters in the Leningrad region killed German official Adolf Beck, who was responsible for sending agricultural goods from occupied Russia to Germany and its troops. They also burned granaries and barns storing those goods before transport. A partisan pamphlet had its own directive: “Russians! Destroy the German landowners. Drive the Germans from the land of the Soviets!” It seems Stalin might have misjudged his people’s loyalty.
