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Nazi-Soviet pact - Coggle Diagram
Nazi-Soviet pact
How it led to the war
Ended Britain's hopes of an alliance with Russia to stop Hitler
Improved morale of British people for war
Freed up Hitler to invade Poland as Britain couldn't do anything to defend Poland
The Anglo-Soviet Talks, August 1939
Story of the failed talks
Stalin knew that Hitler’s ultimate aim was to attack Russia. So he invited the British Foreign Secretary to go to Russia in 1939 to discuss an alliance against Germany. The British feared Russian Communism, and they believed that the Russian army was too weak to be of any use against Hitler.
In August 1939, with war in Poland looming, the British eventually sent a minor official called Reginald Ranfurly Plunckett-Ernle-Erle-Drax. He had no authority to make any decisions, and had to refer every question back to London, so the talks dragged on.
The Russians asked if they could send troops into Poland if Hitler invaded. The British refused so the talks broke down.
Why the talks failed (SCAB)
Choice
Britain could not send troops to fight in Poland. if Stalin supported Britain, he would end up fighting a war in Poland for Britain
Hitler was promising him peace, half of Poland and a 'sphere of influence' over eastern Europe.
Appeasement
Stalin was convinced that Britain would break its promise to Poland
Suspicion
Chamberlain did not trust Stalin
He would never let Russia control Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The Russians thought Britain wanted to trick them into war against Germany.
Poland did not trust that the Russians would ever leave.
Britain delayed
Lord Halifax refused Stalin's offer for a meeting
The two countries agreed to take no military action against each other for the next 10 years.
The pact surprised people as the Nazis hated communists