The Nazi-Soviet Pact (23 Aug 1938) Flashcards

1
Q

Since when had Hitler been concerned about the threat of Hitler?

A

Since 1933

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2
Q

Why had Stalin been fixated on the threat of Hitler since 1933?

A

One of Hitler’s declared foreign policy aims was to destroy Communism

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3
Q

What had Stalin done in 1934 in a hope of increasing the USSR’s security?

A

Joined the League of Nations - hoping the League would protect him from Germany

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4
Q

Why did Stalin stop believing in the League of Nations as an effective peacekeeping institution?

A

After its failure and inaction in Abyssinia and the Spanish Civil War

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5
Q

Why was Stalin particularly suspicious of Britain?

A

Many British politicians in the 1930s had welcomed the rise of Hitler as a counter-weight to the threat of the spread of Communism

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6
Q

What did most British politicians see as the biggest threat to world peace in the 1930s?

A

Communism

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7
Q

Who did Stalin sign a treaty with in 1935?

A

France

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8
Q

When did Stalin sign a treaty with France?

A

1935

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9
Q

What was the 1935 agreement between France and the USSR?

A

The Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance

i.e. an agreement to help each other against the threat of Nazi Germany

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10
Q

Why did Stalin lose faith in the Franco-Soviet treaty?

A

Because the French failed to do anything to stop the Germans remilitarising the Rhineland - despite it being right on their border!

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11
Q

Which agreement in the late 1930s deepened Stalin’s concerns?

A

The Munich Agreement - Stalin was not consulted about it

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12
Q

What did Stalin conclude after the Munich Agreement?

A

The Britain and France were powerless to stop Hitler’s Germany

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13
Q

When did Stalin meet with the leaders of Britain and France to discuss a possible alliance?

A

In March 1939

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14
Q

When Stalin met with Britain and France in March 1939, why did the meeting end in agreement? (2)

A
  1. Chamberlain did not trust Stalin and therefore did not want to commit Britain to an alliance.
  2. Stalin saw Chamberlain’s guarantee of support to Poland as him supporting a potential future enemy .
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15
Q

What was ongoing during the spring and summer of 1939 between Britain, France and the USSR?

A

Negotiations about a potential alliance

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16
Q

Whilst discussions were ongoing between Britain, France and the USSR, who else was Stalin receiving visits from?

A

The Nazi foreign minister, Ribbentrop (RIBBEN – TROP)

17
Q

In August 1939, who did Stalin choose to side with: Britain and France or the Nazis?

A

The Nazis

18
Q

When was the Nazi-Soviet Pact announced to the world?

A

23 August 1939

(approx. 1 week before Hitler invaded Poland on 1 Sept. 1939)

19
Q

What were the details of the Nazi-Soviet Pact? (2)

A
  1. Germany and the USSR agreed not to attack one another for 10 years
  2. They agreed (secretly) to divide Poland between them
20
Q

What did Hitler gain from the Nazi-Soviet Pact? (2)

A
  1. It gave him half of Poland
  2. It ensured he would not face a war on two fronts
21
Q

What did Stalin gain from the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

A

It bought him time to rearm.

He still expected Hitler to attack at some point.

22
Q

What were the consequences of the Nazi-Soviet Pact for Poland?

A

Dire.

On 1st September 1939, Hitler invaded Poland.

(The USSR invaded two weeks later, on 17 Sept. 1939)

23
Q

When Hitler invaded Poland, what did he expect Britain and France would do?

A

Nothing

24
Q

What did Britain and France do?

A

They declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939 (two days after the war started)

25
Q

When did Britain and France declare war on Britain and France?

A

3 September 1939

26
Q

Why was the Nazi-Soviet Pact of August 1939 a surprise?

A

The Nazis and Soviets hated each other, so an alliance was surprising

27
Q

What did Stalin say about the Nazi-Soviet Pact in 1941?

A

‘We secured peace for our country for 18 months, which enabled us to make military preparations.’

28
Q

What did Hitler say when Stalin agreed to the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

A

‘Stalin has agree… I have the world in my pocket.’

29
Q

What did historian Steve Waugh write about the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

A

‘The pact was the final cause of war’ because Hitler could invade Poland without interference from the USSR