The Nazi-Soviet Pact (23 Aug 1938)

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Since 1933

Question 2

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

Answer 2

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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Why was Stalin particularly suspicious of Britain?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Communism

Question 7

Who did Stalin sign a treaty with in 1935?

Answer 7

France

Question 8

When did Stalin sign a treaty with France?

Answer 8

1935

Question 9

What was the 1935 agreement between France and the USSR?

Answer 9

The Franco-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance

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

Question 10

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

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

The Munich Agreement - Stalin was not consulted about it

Question 12

What did Stalin conclude after the Munich Agreement?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

In March 1939

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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 .

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Negotiations about a potential alliance

Question 16

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

Answer 16

The Nazi foreign minister, Ribbentrop (RIBBEN – TROP)

Question 17

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

Answer 17

The Nazis

Question 18

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

Answer 18

23 August 1939

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

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

Question 20

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

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What did Stalin gain from the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

Answer 21

It bought him time to rearm.

He still expected Hitler to attack at some point.

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Dire.

On 1st September 1939, Hitler invaded Poland.

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

Question 23

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

Answer 23

Nothing

Question 24

What did Britain and France do?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

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

Answer 25

3 September 1939

Question 26

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

Answer 26

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

Question 27

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

Answer 27

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

Question 28

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

Answer 28

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

Question 29

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

Answer 29

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