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Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact

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Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact 23rd August 1939 Also known as the Nazi-Soviet Pact. Also known as the Russo-German Non-aggression Pact Both the Soviets and the Germans ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact


1
Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact
  • 23rd August 1939

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  • Also known as the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
  • Also known as the Russo-German Non-aggression
    Pact
  • Both the Soviets and the Germans agreed - not to
    fight each other
  • - not to join any alliances against each
  • other
  • - not to support anyone who attacked the
  • other.

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There were, however, SECRET terms included in the
pact!
  • Eastern Europe was divided into spheres of
    influence ie areas where either the Soviet Union
    or Germany would expect to dominate countries
    they would not actually take over as such.
  • Poland was to be divided up in any future war,
    with Germany taking the west including, of
    course, the hated Polish Corridor, with the USSR
    taking the east.

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Friends or Enemies?
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Why did the Nazis agree to the Pact?
  • Hitler wanted to attack Poland without worrying
    about Soviet intervention.
  • The German armed forces were still not strong
    enough to tackle the loathed Russians in battle.
    Hitler was keen to delay an anti-Soviet campaign
    for the time being.
  • Without Soviet support to help the British and
    French effort, Hitler was sure that they would
    not keep their promise to defend Poland.

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Why did the Soviets agree to the Pact?
  • Britain, France and the Soviet Union had been in
    negotiations over the summer of 1939, but they
    had made little progress, partly because most
    British politicians feared communism and
    distrusted Stalin. Britain also believed that the
    Soviet army was divided and weak because of
    internal political rivalry and plotting. Stalin,
    therefore, believed that the Soviet Union would
    have to protect itself against the Nazis, as
    Britain and France would do nothing to help them.
  • Russia had had to give up part of Poland after
    World War One. Here was a way of getting it back
    without any need to fight for it!
  • The Soviet military simply werent ready to fight.

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Impact and Consequences of the Pact.
  • Britain and France were stunned, as was much of
    the world, as the hatred between the Soviets and
    the Nazis was well-known.
  • Britain agreed a formal military alliance with
    Poland on 25th August, 1939, even though it would
    be difficult to support Poland effectively
    without Soviet help.
  • Hitler ordered invasion of Poland to be ready for
    September 1st, as the Poles had refused to
    negotiate any further over Danzig, so a Munich
    style solution was not going to take place. War
    seemed inevitable.
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