The primary reason Nazi Germany signed a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union was to split up Poland. The pact, also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, was signed on August 23, 1939, just a week before Germany invaded Poland. The agreement included a secret protocol that detailed the partition of Poland between the two countries. This allowed Germany to launch its military campaign in the west without worrying about Soviet interference.
While it is correct that the pact served Germany's interest in initiating war against Britain and France, the immediate motivation was to secure Soviet neutrality during the invasion of Poland.
The notion of further spreading socialist ideas is not a significant factor that influenced the signing of this pact. The Soviet Union and Nazi Germany held opposing ideologies, with the former being a communist state and the latter promoting fascist and far-right principles.
Although the pact did bring some economic benefits to both nations, specifically in terms of resource exchanges, its primary purpose was to secure territorial gains and buy time for Hitler's expansionist ambitions.
Why did Nazi Germany sign a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union?
to go to war against Britain and France
to split up Poland
to further spread socialist ideas
to benefit both of their economies
1 answer
1 answer