1939 Stalin invited Lord
(British Foreign Sec) to discuss anti-German alliance. Britain refused feared Communism & saw USSR army as weak.
Aug 1939 w. war in Poland imminent, Britain sent a
by slow boat. USSR asked if they could send troops into Poland if Hitler invaded → Britain refused.
On 23 August, 1939, world shocked when USSR and Ger signed '
Why did Anglo-Soviet Talks Fail?
Suspicion
Chamberlain did not
Stalin (Communist/dictator).
Stalin thought Britain wanted to
him into war vs Ger.
Choice
Britain could not send
to Poland. If Stalin allied w. Britain, he have to fight for them.
Hitler offered peace & ½ of Poland.
Appeasement
After Munich, Stalin believed Britain would abandon Poland → USSR left fighting Hitler
.
Britain Delayed
Stalin got fed up w. British
.
Hitler & Russia
Aug 1939 Hitler sent
(senior Nazi) to USSR.
Stalin knew Hitler was lying but did not trust Britain either.
Options:
◦ Ally w. Britain → war vs Hitler.
◦ Ally w. Germany → ½ of Poland + time to prepare for war vs Hitler.
23 Aug 1939 Stalin signed Pact w. Hitler.
Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact Happen?
Time to Prepare for War
Stalin: We got peace for our country for
months, which let us make military preparations.
Hope to Gain
USSR benefited if Britain, France & Ger
each other in war.
Unhappy w. Britain
Stalin insulted by British delays + didnt trust them → turned to Hitler.
Germany
Hitler needed USSR alliance only USSR could defend Poland. Thought Britain would back down if USSR was on his side.
The Shock to the System
Britain knew of Nazi-Soviet talks (Aug) but Pact shocked British public.
Hard to believe Communist, Hitler-hating USSR allied w. Nazi, Communist-hating Ger.
Public decided Pact =
→ aimed at carving up Poland.
Britain & Russia
1939 Stalin invited Lord HALIFAX (British Foreign Sec) to discuss anti-German alliance. Britain refused feared Communism & saw USSR army as weak.
Aug 1939 w. war in Poland imminent, Britain sent a MINOR OFFICIAL by slow boat. USSR asked if they could send troops into Poland if Hitler invaded → Britain refused.
On 23 August, 1939, world shocked when USSR and Ger signed NON-AGGRESSION PACT'
Why did Anglo-Soviet Talks Fail?
Suspicion
Chamberlain did not TRUST Stalin (Communist/dictator).
Stalin thought Britain wanted to TRICK him into war vs Ger.
Choice
Britain could not send TROOPS to Poland. If Stalin allied w. Britain, he have to fight for them.
Hitler offered peace & ½ of Poland.
Appeasement
After Munich, Stalin believed Britain would abandon Poland → USSR left fighting Hitler ALONE.
Britain Delayed
Stalin got fed up w. British DELAYS.
Hitler & Russia
Aug 1939 Hitler sent RIBBENTROP (senior Nazi) to USSR.
Stalin knew Hitler was lying but did not trust Britain either.
Options:
◦ Ally w. Britain → war vs Hitler.
◦ Ally w. Germany → ½ of Poland + time to prepare for war vs Hitler.
23 Aug 1939 Stalin signed Pact w. Hitler.
Why did the Nazi-Soviet Pact Happen?
Time to Prepare for War
Stalin: We got peace for our country for 18 months, which let us make military preparations.
Hope to Gain
USSR benefited if Britain, France & Ger EXHAUSTED each other in war.
Unhappy w. Britain
Stalin insulted by British delays + didnt trust them → turned to Hitler.
Germany
Hitler needed USSR alliance only USSR could defend Poland. Thought Britain would back down if USSR was on his side.
The Shock to the System
Britain knew of Nazi-Soviet talks (Aug) but Pact shocked British public.
Hard to believe Communist, Hitler-hating USSR allied w. Nazi, Communist-hating Ger.
Public decided Pact = CYNICAL LIE → aimed at carving up Poland.
