Nazi-Soviet Pact

Definition

The Nazi-Soviet Pact, officially known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, was a treaty signed on August 23, 1939, between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, which promised not to attack each other and included secret protocols for the division of Eastern Europe. This agreement allowed both countries to pursue their territorial ambitions without fear of conflict with the other, effectively setting the stage for World War II by enabling Germany to invade Poland without Soviet intervention.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Nazi-Soviet Pact included a non-aggression agreement, meaning both nations would not attack each other for a specified period.
2. The secret protocols of the pact divided Poland and other Eastern European countries into spheres of influence between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
3. The signing of the pact shocked the world, as Germany and the Soviet Union were ideological enemies, with fascism opposing communism.
4. The pact gave Hitler the confidence to invade Poland on September 1, 1939, leading directly to the outbreak of World War II.
5. The alliance was short-lived; Germany broke the pact by invading the Soviet Union in June 1941 during Operation Barbarossa.

Review Questions

• How did the Nazi-Soviet Pact impact Hitler's military strategy in Europe leading up to World War II?
  • The Nazi-Soviet Pact significantly impacted Hitler's military strategy by providing him with a strategic advantage. With the assurance that the Soviet Union would not intervene, Hitler felt emboldened to invade Poland on September 1, 1939, effectively starting World War II. The pact allowed Germany to focus its military resources on Western Europe without worrying about a two-front war initially, which played a crucial role in early German victories.
• Evaluate the consequences of the Nazi-Soviet Pact for Eastern Europe and its nations during World War II.
  • The consequences of the Nazi-Soviet Pact for Eastern Europe were profound and devastating. The secret protocols led to the division of Poland between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, resulting in immense suffering for its citizens. Countries like Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia also faced occupation and annexation by either Germany or the Soviets. This division created lasting geopolitical tensions and set the stage for significant conflict and repression in Eastern Europe throughout the war.
• Analyze how the ideological differences between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union influenced their decision to sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact despite being traditional enemies.
  • Despite their ideological differences—Nazism's extreme nationalism and anti-communism versus Stalin's communism—the strategic interests of both nations led them to sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact. For Hitler, it was essential to secure his eastern flank before launching aggressive campaigns in Western Europe. Meanwhile, Stalin sought to buy time to strengthen his military capabilities and expand Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. This pragmatic approach highlighted how immediate political objectives can sometimes override ideological conflicts in international relations.

Related terms

Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact: Another name for the Nazi-Soviet Pact, named after the foreign ministers of both countries, Vyacheslav Molotov and Joachim von Ribbentrop, who negotiated the agreement.

Non-Aggression Pact: A type of agreement where two or more states agree not to engage in military action against each other; the Nazi-Soviet Pact is one of the most notable examples.

Secret Protocols: Confidential clauses included in the Nazi-Soviet Pact that outlined the spheres of influence in Eastern Europe and the division of territories between Germany and the Soviet Union.