The Nazi-Soviet Pact

Question 1

When did Hitler and Stalin sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

Answer 1

23 August 1939

Question 2

What 3 aims would invading Poland help Hitler achieve?

Answer 2

-Destroying the Treaty of Versailles (areas of Germany were used to make Poland
-Re-unite German speaking people (many Germans found themselves living in Poland)
-Claiming Lebensraum

Question 3

What had Poland been created out of?

Answer 3

Former German and Russian territories after WWI

Question 4

How did both Hitler and Germany feel about the new state of Poland?

Answer 4

They both despised it.

Question 5

What did the Nazi-Soviet Pact mean?

Answer 5

If the USSR allowed Hitler to invade Poland, the USSR would be given Polish territory.

Question 6

When had the USSR joined the League of Nations?

Answer 6

1934.

Question 7

Why had the USSR lost faith in the League’s ability to protect Russia from Hitler’s threats?

Answer 7

After witnessing how weak it was in the Manchuria, Abyssinia and Rhineland crises.

Question 8

Why had the USSR lost faith in France after Hitler remilitarised the Rhineland?

Answer 8

In 1934 the USSr and France had signed an agreement stating that France would protect Russia from German invasion, but when Hitler invaded the Rhineland, France did nothing. How could the USSR trust France if they couldn’t even stop an invasion on their own doorstep.

Question 9

What was one of Britain and France’s justification for appeasement and how did this make the USSR lose faith?

Answer 9

One of their justifications is that Hitler could stand as a barrier against Communism if he re-armed, Britain and France clearly couldn’t trust Stalin so why should he trust them?

Question 10

What important conference was Stalin not invited to or even consulted about?

Answer 10

The Munich Agreement with Hitler in 1938.

Question 11

Who was Lord Halifax?

Answer 11

The British foreign minister.

Question 12

What had Halifax and Chamberlain done when Hitler first invited them to Russia for talks?

Answer 12

They declined as they both hated Communism.

Question 13

When did the British decide they did need the USSR on their side after all?

Answer 13

When the situation in Czechoslovakia worsened.

Question 14

When were British diplomats sent to the USSR in the hope of agreeing alliance?

Answer 14

April 1939.

Question 15

Who led these British diplomats to Russia and by what? What did this show?

Answer 15

They were led by Reginald Drax, he travelled by boat, which was much slower than travelling by plane. It made it look like the British felt that the meeting was not important.

Question 16

What had Drax done when he arrived in Russia?

Answer 16

He had no authority to decide on anything and had kept referring to issues back in London, and the meetings dragged on with little decided. Halifax also questioned how powerful the USSR’s military really was.

Question 17

What had added to the culture of the mistrust between Russia and the allies?

Answer 17

The Polish knew of Russian feelings and intentions towards them so did not allow Russian troops to be stationed in Poland to defend them from Nazi invasion.

Question 18

Who was Ribbentrop?

Answer 18

One of Hitler’s most senior Nazis.

Question 19

What did Hitler seem like to Stalin compared to Britain and France?

Answer 19

Hitler seemed to respect and value Stalin, he had sent Ribbentrop to meet with Stalin.

Question 20

What did Hitler and Stalin secretly agree?

Answer 20

To split Poland between them.

Question 20

What would Stalin gain out of the Pact?

Answer 20

-He could destroy Poland reclaim land that had been taken from Russia. He would gain territory in Poland and didn’t have to lift a finger to take it; Hitler would do all the fighting

-He didn’t trust Hitler and knew he would invade, so signing the pact bought him time to build up Russia’s army

-It was better to be allies with Hitler then be invaded by him, the USSR could see that Britain and France would not stand up to Hitler

-Owning territory in Poland would create a buffer zone which would be useful for when Hitler decided to invade Russia

Question 21

What mistake had Germany made in the First World War which he was determined to not let happen again.

Answer 21

Fighting on 2 fronts. The French and British attacked from the west, while Russia attacked from the east. Germany had to divide its troops, which had weakened the army and ultimately led to its defeat.

Question 22

Give 4 reasons why the Nazi-Soviet Pact was significant:

Answer 22

-It made war inevitable
-Britain and France realised the policy of appeasement was not working, after Hitler broke the Munich agreement and invaded Czechoslovakia
-When war broke out, Britain and France would not have the support of Russia, who would instead side with the Nazis
-It persuaded Britain that was was imminent . They formalised their previous agreement with Poland, if Hitler invaded them then Britain would fight.