Nazi Soviet Pact Flashcards
When was the pact signed?
August 1939.
Why didn’t the Anglo-Soviet talks fail? (Britain)
Chamberlain did not trust Stalin, Poland didn’t believe that the Russians would leave once in.
Why didn’t the Anglo-Soviet talks fail? (Russia)
Russians thought Britain waned to trick them into war against Germany, Stalin thought he would end up fighting a war in Poland on Britain’s behalf. Britain were slow and Russia got fed up with the delay.
Why would Hitler be possibly a better ally?
Hitler was promising hum peace, half of Poland and a ‘sphere of influence’ over eastern Europe.
What 2 choices did Stalin have?
If he made an alliance with Britain he would end up fighting a war with Hitler over Poland, if he made an alliance with Germany he would get half of Poland and have time to prepare for the coming war with Germany.
What did Stalin hope to gain from the alliance?
18 months to make military preparations, Stalin was insulted by Britain’s slowness to negotiate and didn’t trust Britain.
Why did Hitler want the alliance?
He believed that Britain would be forced to back down over Poland and Danzig as Russia were the only country which could keep Britain’s promise to defend Poland.
What did the alliance over all gain?
Freed up Hitler to invade Poland, ended Britain’s hopes of an alliance with Russia to stop Hitler. Improved Britain’s morale for war and it showed Hitler was an opportunist and a trickster who could never be trusted.
