The Red Army broke the back of the Wehrmacht, liberated Auschwitz and other camps, and freed millions from occupation. Its strength, however, was determined by civilians on the home front. The greatest victory of the twentieth century depended on their efforts. The Stalinist state reached the height of its powers during the war, manifesting a greater ability to mobilize its people than any other combatant nation. The evacuation and rebuilding of the industrial base, mass mobilization of workers, food allocation under starvation conditions, aversion of a public health disaster, and reconstruction of the liberated territories were the result of unprecedented organizational efforts. Strict discipline and repression played a role. Yet, without the support of the vast majority of people, the achievements on the home front would not have been possible. The war has now become central to a new Russian national identity. The victory of the Soviet people against fascism, however, is also part of an ongoing international struggle against virulent nationalism, race hatred, anti-Semitism, and exploitation.