13 How important was the Nazi-Soviet Pact? Flashcards
What is one of the most astonishing and surprising events that resulted from Hitler’s foreign policy?
Hitler’s announcement of the Nazi-Soviet Pact in late August 1939
What is the other way of saying Nazi-Soviet Pact?
the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
What was the main term of the Nazi-Soiet Pact that was released to the public?
a 10-year non-aggression pact
What is an example of a term in the Nazi-Soviet Pact that was not released to the public?
that it contained clauses relating to the future partition of Poland
Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact at first sight seem like an extremely unlikely event?
As they were two states representing ideological opposites, fascism and communism, making a deal with one another.
Hitler never kept his hatred for communism a secret. He argued in Mein Kampf that he was in favour of the destruction of Soviet Russia.
Also, Stalin was well aware of Hitler’s intentions, he was expecting an invasion of his country at some point.
Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact make perfect sense?
As Hitler wanted to ensure that, having defeated Poland, he was not attacked by Soviet Russia while he dealt with Britain and France.
Stalin hoped that an Anglo-French/German War would last many years and wanted to buy time to strengthen his defences and build up his military machine. Stalin also feared a war on two fronts given the current hostility of Japan.
Did the Nazi-Soviet Pact suit the long-term or short-term ambitions of both Germany and Russia?
the short-term ambitions
What were Hitler’s plans immediately after he signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact and what were his thoughts/reasons for being so confident about it?
Hitler immediately made plans to invade Poland.
Hitler knew that Britain or France could do absolutely nothing to assist their ally other than to wage a general war against Germany. Furthermore, Hitler had no reason to suppose that Anglo-French opposition would be any more serious than it had been over Czechoslovakia. Also, Hitler’s diplomatic hand had strengthened since the Munich Agreement as Italy had become a formal ally in the Pact of Steel of May 1939
