1. The road to World War II The Nazi-Soviet Pact 23 rd August 1939

2. The Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939 On 23 August, 1939, the world was shocked when, suddenly, Russia and Germany signed a Non-aggression Pact. People would have been even more shocked if they had known at the time that, in addition, the two countries had a secret agreement to invade and divide Poland between them.

3. The Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939

4. Why did Stalin sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact? Why did talks fail with Britain? Suspicion & Lack of trust Stalin got fed up with Britain's delaying tactics Stalin did not believe Britain would honour its promise to Poland. Appeasement! Germany & Hitler offered Stalin a better choice

5. Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact happen? Stalin was convinced Britain & France would never go to war with Germany Stalin was annoyed that Britain and France had promised to help Poland which he viewed as his potential enemy. REMEMBER Stalin's 2 choices 1) if he made an alliance with Britain, he would end up fighting a war against Hitler over Poland. 2) if he made an alliance with Germany, he would get half of Poland, and time to prepare for the coming war with Germany. Obviously Stalin chose the second option

6. Interpretations of the Nazi-Soviet Pact. This British cartoon of 1939 What is the message of this cartoon? Use the cartoon and your own knowledge

7. Interpretations of the Nazi-Soviet Pact. This British cartoon of 1939 What is the message of this cartoon? Use the cartoon and your own knowledge

8. A British cartoon from 1937. The figures on the left represent Britain and France. The figure on the right is Molotov, the Soviet Foreign Minister What is the message of this cartoon? Use the cartoon and your own knowledge

9. A Soviet cartoon from 1939. CCCP is Russian for USSR. The French and the British are directing Hitler away from western Europe and towards the USSR. What is the message of this cartoon? Use the cartoon and your own knowledge What does this source reveal about Soviet attitudes towards Britain and France?

10. Why did Hitler & Stalin REALLY sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact? Because.... Stalin was not convinced that Britain and France would be strong and reliable enough as allies against Hitler. He did not believe Hitler would keep his word, but he hoped for time to build up his forces against the attack he knew would come. He also had designs on large sections of Eastern Poland and wanted to take over the Baltic states which used to be part of the USSR

11. WAR The Pact was perhaps the pinnacle of Hitler’s triumphs. It cleared the way for Germany’s invasion of Poland. On 1 September 1939 the German army invaded Poland from the west. On 17 September Soviet forces invaded Poland from the east. Poland soon fell. But Hitler’s triumph was spoilt by a nasty surprise. Britain and France did keep their pledge. On 2 September they declared war on Germany. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= kMt2-o8Mrbw&feature=fvsthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v= kMt2-o8Mrbw&feature=fvst

12. Task Terms of the Treaty of Versailles What Hitler did and when The reasons he gave for his action The response from Britain and France Germany’s armed forces to be severely limited The Rhineland to be a demilitarised zone Germany forbidden to unite with Austria The Sudetenland taken into the new state of Czechoslovakia The Polish Corridor given to Poland