1. The Nazi-Soviet Pact

2. What did Hitler Want?
After the destruction of Czechoslovakia, it was clear that Poland was Hitler’s next target. Hitler had obvious claims on parts of Poland Germany had lost in the T of V. He wanted these back.
Lebensraum
Despite all this the Poles enjoyed a friendly relationship with Hitler, and at first they found it hard to take his threats seriously. They tried to keep away from both Germany and the Soviet Union.
Hitler could not be sure the Soviet Union would allow this he needed a truce.

3. Britain’s Promise.
Britain made a guarantee to preserve the independence of Poland this lulled them into a false sense of security, in fact there was little they could do to stop a German invasion + Internationalism Vs. Nationalism.
Discussions between GB, France and the Soviet Union took place in August 1939 but collapsed because of distrust between the two sides + the Poles would not let Soviet troops enter their land in advance of a German invasion.
The Soviet Union thought Britain and France would be happy to sit back and watch them fight their war.

4. The terms of the pact
On the 23rd of August 1939 the foreign ministers of Germany and the Soviet union meet in Moscow-Molotov and Ribbentrop. They agreed a non-aggression pact. In secret they also had agreed to divide Poland up between themselves.
Fascist Germany and communist Soviet union gave every appearance of being bitter enemies. Nobody thought that this made any difference to their mutual hatred, so why did they agree to sign the pact?

5. What was the importance of the pact?
The pact fulfilled what Hitler had wanted it to do, leave Britain and France to fight alone.
When Britain signed the pact with Poland, Hitler almost had second thoughts as he did not think they would go to war over Poland. This time they could not back down in the face of Nazi aggression.
If they did it would signal to the world that they were no longer a major power Crucially however unlike 1938, a policy of re-armament meant Britain would be ready for war.
It only took a few days for Hitler to regain his nerve he ordered Poland be invaded by the 1st of September. When he finally ignored Britain’s ultimatum to call off the attack they declared war on the 3rd of September.
Within 3 weeks due to the Blitzkrieg Poland had been defeated. Soviet forces then attacked from the east

6. Advantages For Germany:
Hitler could invade Poland without the worry of the Soviet Union
He would achieve what he wanted in terms of foreign policy.
There would be no alliance between the Soviet Union and Britain to prevent Germany carrying out their plans.
For Stalin:
They would not be drawn into a war with Germany
They would not have to ally with Britain.
The Soviet Union would also regain land lost in wars in the 1920’s.
It gave Stalin time to regroup his armies for the eventual war with Germany.

7. Questions
Why do you think Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Nazi Soviet Pact?

8. This British cartoon of 1939 shows Hitler and Stalin.
What elements indicate that they are allied?
What indicates that the alliance is not likely to last?
What do the storm clouds in the background symbolise?
What does the dead figure between them represent
This British cartoon of 1939 shows Hitler and Stalin.
What elements indicate that they are allied?
What indicates that the alliance is not likely to last?
What do the storm clouds in the background symbolise?
What does the dead figure between them represent

10. This British cartoon of 1939 shows Hitler and Stalin.
What elements indicate that they are allied?
What indicates that the alliance is not likely to last?