1. Significance of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

Question 1

When was it announced and world reaction?

Answer 1

shocked world with announcement of a Non-Aggression Pact on 23 August, 1939

Question 2

What had Stalin been attempting to build since early 1930s?

Answer 2

build an anti-German alliance with Britain, France and other European nations, but refused due to fear of communism

Question 3

why did Stalin want to buy time to prepare Soviet defences?

Answer 3

Feeling increasingly isolated and exposed to German invasion

Question 4

how would it relieve pressure on Russia and improve prospects for spread of Communism?

Answer 4

Prospect of Britain, Germany and France fighting to a standstill in western Europe would not only relieve pressure on Russia, but improve prospects for spread of Communism

Question 5

what did Germans want on other hand?

Answer 5

wanted free hand to deal with Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, primarily to avoid a two-front war

Question 6

When would Hitler’s quest for Lebensraum in East be achieved ?

Answer 6

achieved once Britain and France defeated

Question 7

what did the 2 deadly enemies agreed to?

Answer 7

agreed not to go war with each other for 10 years, and to remain neutral in event of conflict

Question 8

what did the secret clause in agreement confirm?

Answer 8

confirmed German recognition of Russian interests in Poland and Lithuania (sphere of influence)

Question 9

1 sept 1939?

Answer 9

Germany invaded Poland and ignored Allied demands to withdraw

Question 10

what happened 2 days later of german invasion of Poland?

Answer 10

Britain and France declare war on Germany

Question 11

To certain extent, figure of Hitler obscures facts that British and French govs went to war to…

Answer 11

maintain their positions as Great Powers rather than to wage crusade against evil force of Nazism

Question 12

What does Richard Evans say about the Pact?

Answer 12

‘neither Hitler nor Stalin expected the pact to last however at the time it suited both Hitler and Stalin to drop their mutual distrust. Stalin avoided a war with the German’s and it offered long term prospects’

Question 13

why Hitler and Stalin agreed to pact: what did stalin hope with Britain’s guarantee of support to Poland?

Answer 13

it made war inevitable

Stalin hoped Hitler would exhaust himself against France and Britain

Question 14

why Hitler and Stalin agreed to pact: what would the deal give Stalin?

Answer 14

a share of Poland and provide security between Germany and Russia

Question 15

why Hitler and Stalin agreed to pact: with hitler busy in west..?

Answer 15

Russia could consolidate and strengthen its forces

Question 16

why Hitler and Stalin agreed to pact: how come west could not be trusted?

Answer 16

proven by Munich and Western vacillation in1939

Question 17

why Hitler and Stalin agreed to pact: fear of.?

Answer 17

two front war, the deal allowed Poland to be defeated quickly

Question 18

why Hitler and Stalin agreed to pact: once western nations were beaten what could be dealt with?

Answer 18

the Soviet Union

Question 19

why Hitler and Stalin agreed to pact: the deal would stop Germany?

Answer 19

getting into the mess it had in July/August 1914

Question 20

Philip Bell on reason for pact?

Answer 20

‘the reasons for the pact were Britain’s distrust of Stalin and that Hitler was able to offer Stalin what he wanted immediately, where the British and French could offer nothing’