The Nazi-Soviet Pact
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 3.4.1
Nazi Soviet Pact, 1939
The pact between the two leaders was one of mutual convenience. They would promise to invade Poland and split it between themselves.
Political differences
- Hitler (Germany) and Stalin (USSR) disliked each other intensely due to their political differences.
- However, both wanted to invade all of Poland and take the land for themselves.
Stalin
- Stalin knew the Allies wouldn’t approve of his desire to take back the Polish land for himself.
- Stalin was also fearful of Hitler’s military strength.
- Stalin believed a treaty with Hitler would protect the USSR from attack.
- Stalin also thought it would buy time to prepare for war.
- Stalin thought the allied countries and League of Nations were all too weak against Hitler.
The pact
- The pact between the two leaders was one of mutual convenience.
- They would promise to invade Poland and split it between themselves.
- They promised that they would not attack each other.
- This was a non-aggression.