Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

Definition

The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was a treaty signed on August 23, 1939, between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in which both parties agreed not to attack each other and to remain neutral in the event of conflict. This pact was crucial as it allowed Hitler to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, leading to the outbreak of World War II. Additionally, it included secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, ultimately shaping the political landscape of the region.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The pact was signed just days before the invasion of Poland, allowing Germany to act without concern for a Soviet attack.
2. The agreement shocked the world as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were ideological enemies; this agreement temporarily aligned their interests.
3. The secret protocols divided Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence, leading to the occupation of Poland and other countries.
4. The pact remained in effect until June 22, 1941, when Germany launched Operation Barbarossa against the Soviet Union, breaking their agreement.
5. The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact had lasting implications for post-war Europe, as it influenced territorial boundaries and political tensions during and after World War II.

Review Questions

• How did the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact influence Hitler's military strategy in Europe?
  • The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact significantly influenced Hitler's military strategy by removing the threat of a two-front war. With the assurance that the Soviet Union would not intervene, Hitler was able to confidently invade Poland on September 1, 1939, which marked the start of World War II. This allowed Germany to quickly secure its western borders and focus its military efforts on defeating France and Britain without worrying about an attack from the east.
• Discuss the ideological contradictions present in the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact and their impact on European politics at the time.
  • The signing of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact highlighted deep ideological contradictions between Nazism and Communism. Despite their mutual disdain for each other’s ideologies, both regimes found it beneficial to cooperate temporarily for territorial expansion and political gain. This unexpected alliance altered European politics by enabling aggressive expansionism from both powers, reshaping alliances and creating uncertainty among other nations regarding their security and diplomatic relations.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact on post-war European geopolitical dynamics.
  • The long-term consequences of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact significantly shaped post-war European geopolitical dynamics. The division of Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres laid the groundwork for future conflicts as these areas became battlegrounds during World War II and subsequently fell under Soviet control. This division contributed to rising tensions during the Cold War, influencing how nations aligned themselves politically and militarily. The treaty also exemplified how temporary alliances could shift power dynamics and reshape borders in Europe.

Related terms

Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact:

Another name for the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, named after the foreign ministers of the respective countries, Vyacheslav Molotov and Joachim von Ribbentrop.

Operation Barbarossa:

The code name for the Nazi Germany invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, which violated the terms of the Non-Aggression Pact.

Spheres of Influence: Regions where one nation has significant cultural, economic, or military influence over another, as established by secret protocols in the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.