An Agreement between Which Two Countries Spurred World War Ii
The second World War was one of the most catastrophic events in human history, causing immense destruction and loss of life. While there were several factors that contributed to the outbreak of the war, an agreement between two countries played a significant role in provoking the conflict. In this article, we`ll discuss the agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union and how it led to the start of World War II.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, also known as the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, was signed on August 23, 1939, between Germany and the Soviet Union. The pact pledged that the two countries would not attack each other and would remain peaceful for at least ten years. This agreement came as a surprise to many in the international community as Germany and the Soviet Union had been bitter rivals for years.
From Germany`s perspective, the pact was a tactical move to avoid a two-front war. Adolf Hitler, the leader of Germany, was planning to invade Poland, but he knew that France and Britain would likely declare war in response. To prevent this, Hitler sought an agreement with the Soviet Union to divide Eastern Europe between them. This would prevent the USSR from attacking Germany while it was engaged in war with Poland and allow Hitler to focus solely on Western Europe.
For the Soviet Union, the pact was a way to buy time to prepare for a possible war with Germany. Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, was aware of Hitler`s aggressive intentions and saw the agreement as a way to delay the inevitable conflict. Moreover, the pact provided the Soviet Union with access to Germany`s advanced military technology, which they used to modernize their own army.
However, the pact did not last long. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, and Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. The Soviet Union annexed the Baltic States and parts of Romania, while Germany proceeded to conquer much of Europe. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact remained in place until June 22, 1941, when Germany attacked the Soviet Union, breaking the agreement.
In conclusion, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was a significant agreement that led to World War II. Germany`s invasion of Poland triggered the war, but the pact allowed Hitler to wage war without fear of a Soviet counter-attack. The agreement also gave the Soviet Union time to prepare for the war and access to advanced military technology. However, the pact was not a long-term solution, and the eventual conflict resulted in catastrophic consequences for both countries and the world at large.
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