August 23, 1939

Definition

August 23, 1939, marks the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union. This agreement allowed both nations to avoid military conflict with each other and included secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, significantly impacting the geopolitical landscape just before World War II.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The pact was a shock to many, as the two countries had been ideological enemies, with Nazis promoting fascism and communism being the antithesis.
2. The secret protocols of the pact allowed for the division of Poland and other Eastern European territories between Germany and the Soviet Union.
3. Hitler saw the pact as a way to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, which he executed just days later on September 1, 1939.
4. The agreement gave Stalin time to strengthen the Soviet military and prepare for potential future conflicts.
5. The pact ultimately broke down in June 1941 when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa.

Review Questions

• How did the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact influence the strategy of both Germany and the Soviet Union in the early stages of World War II?
  • The signing of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact allowed Germany to invade Poland without worrying about a two-front war, as it ensured that the Soviet Union would not intervene. For Stalin, the pact provided a temporary buffer against German aggression and allowed him to reclaim territories lost in previous conflicts. This strategic maneuvering set the stage for rapid territorial expansion by both powers in Eastern Europe at the onset of World War II.
• Discuss the implications of the secret protocols within the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact on Eastern European geopolitics.
  • The secret protocols of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact had profound implications for Eastern European geopolitics by effectively dividing territories such as Poland between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. This division enabled both nations to pursue their expansionist goals with little regard for local populations or sovereignty. The agreement destabilized existing political structures and led to significant human suffering as regions were absorbed into totalitarian regimes.
• Evaluate how August 23, 1939, symbolizes a turning point in global alliances and conflicts leading into World War II.
  • August 23, 1939, symbolizes a crucial turning point in global alliances as it marked an unexpected collaboration between two ideologically opposed regimes. This pact shifted power dynamics in Europe, as it allowed Hitler to consolidate his military plans without fear from his eastern neighbor, while giving Stalin a temporary reprieve from potential conflict. The ramifications set off a chain reaction that ultimately reshaped international relations and led directly to World War II, illustrating how non-aggression agreements can alter traditional alliances.

Related terms

Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact:

Another name for the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, named after the foreign ministers of both countries, Vyacheslav Molotov of the Soviet Union and Joachim von Ribbentrop of Germany.

Spheres of Influence: Regions or countries where a state has significant cultural, economic, military, or political influence, often established through treaties or agreements.

Nazi Expansionism: The policy and practice of Nazi Germany aiming to acquire additional territories to provide living space for its population and to expand its ideological reach.