Soviet-German Pact: Origins, Purpose, and Impact on WWII

The Soviet-German Pact, also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, was signed on August 23, 1939, between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. The pact was a non-aggression treaty that included secret protocols that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence for both countries. The original context of the pact was to provide a strategic benefit to both countries. For the Soviet Union, the pact was seen as a way to delay or prevent a potential war with Germany, while also gaining time to strengthen its military and territorial defenses. For Nazi Germany, the pact was seen as a way to avoid a two-front war by securing its eastern flank while it focused on its campaign in the west. The pact was seen as a significant turning point in European history, as it paved the way for the start of World War II and the eventual invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany.