Figure 1.--. |
|
The NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (August 1939) essentially made the NAZIs and Soviets allies. The Soviets never joined the Axis, although Japanese diplomats argued that they should be allowed to join. Even so, the Soviets were a very important NAZI ally. World War II histories generally mention the Pact in terms of making possible the NAZI invasion of Poland and then generally provide littleadditional information on the Pact and the NAZI-Soviet alliance. This is in part because after the NAZI invasion of the Soviet Union, the Soviets became a key element of the Allied struggle against the Axis. And this Soviet aggressions were inconvenient in depicging the struggle with the Axis as one between good and evil. Unfortunaltely, subsequent historians have focused on NAZI campaigns and occupation policies and generally left untouched the 2 years in which the NAZIs and Soviets cooperated. There was extensive cooperation between the two powers as they proceeded to divide Europe between themselves. The relation was troubled over differences between how Eastern Europe was to be divided, espcially disagreements over Finland, Lithuania, and Romania. With the Royal Navy blockade in place, the Soviet Union became Germany's most important supplier of strategic materials. The Soviets also facilitated contacts between Germany and Japan.
NAZI Foreign Minister Ribbentrop and newly appointed Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs Molotov on August 23, 1939, signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. At the time of thesigning, British and French delegations were in Moscow trying to reach an understanding with Stalin. Hewas convinced, however, that they were tring to draw him into a war with Hitler. The two countries which until that time had been bitter foes, pledged not attack each other. Any problems developing between the two countries were to be delt with amicably. It was last for 10 years. The Pact shocked the world and the purpose was immedietly apparent. It meant that Germany could attack Poland without fear of Soviet intervention. Thus after defeating Poland, Germany did not have to fear a full-scale European war on two fronts. What was not known at the time was that there was a secret protocol to the pact which in effect divided Eastern Europe betwen the two countries. This protocol was discoered after the end of the World War II in 1945. The Soviets continued to deny this protocol until 1989. The NAZIs 8 days after signing the Pact invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, launching World War II. Britain and France declared war September 3. Poland's fate was sealed on September 17, when the Soviets invaded Poland from the east. Although the Soviet's did not enter the War against Britain and France, the Soviets were virtual NAZI allies as they provided large quantaies of strategic materials, especially oil. Communist parties in Britainand France opposedthe war effort. The Communst Party in America opposed President Roosevelt's efforts to expand defense spending and assist Britain and France.
The Japanese were shocked with the surprise announcement of the NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (August 1939). The Japanese at the time were fighting a substantial campaign--Khalkhin Gol against the Red Army on the border between Mongolia and Manchuko (occupied Manchuria). An important element in the Japanese Goivernment, the Strike North Faction, had wanted to use Japan's growing military power to attack the Soviet Union. This was a major step in the eventuall accendancy of the Strike South Faction--attacking America and Britain. As Japanese policy coalesed on a mie south, Japanese diplomats promoted the idea of allowing the Soviets to join the Axis. Had Hitler listened to them, the history of the 20th century could have been been very different.
World War II histories focus on the NAZI invasion of Poland (September 1) which launched the War. Generally little attention is given to the subsequent Soviet invasion (September 17). At the time, the battered Polish Army was preparing for a stand in eastern Poland. The Soviet invasion made this impossible. The Soviets proceeded to pursue the same policies to destoy Polish national life as the NAZIs. The only basic difference was the Soviets did not launch a campaign against the Jews.
The NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (August 1939) essentially made the NAZIs and Soviets allies. The Soviets and NAZIs were very important allies. World War II histories generally mention the Pact in terms of making possible the NAZI invasion of Poland and then generally provide littleadditional information on the Pact and the NAZI-Soviet alliance. This is in part because after the NAZI invasion of the Soviet Union, the Soviets became a key element of the Allied struggle against the Axis. And this Soviet aggressions were inconvenient in depicging the struggle with the Axis as one between good and evil. Unfortunately, subsequent historians have focused on NAZI campaigns and occupation policies and generally left untouched the 2 years in which the NAZIs and Soviets cooperated. There was extensive cooperation between the two powers as they proceeded to divide Europe between themselves.
The relation was troubled over differences between how Eastern Europe was to be divided, espcially disagreements over Finland, Lithuania, and Romania.
With the Royal Navy blockade in place, the Soviet Union became Germany's most important supplier of strategic materials. Although the Soviet's did not enter the War against Britain and France, the Soviets were virtual NAZI allies as they provided large quantaies of strategic materials, especially oil. The Soviets not only cooperated in the defeat of Poland, but became Germany's most important supplier of strategic materials. Commercial agreemets detailing the deliveries were discussed Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars, Molotov (September 28, 1939). A final agreement was reached a few months later, the Memorandum on the German-Soviet Commercial Agreement (February 11, 1940). The Soviets agreed to immediately begin deliveries of strategic materials and agreed that industrial goods from Germany would be delivered on a longer time frame, meaning that the NAZIs never paid for most of the Soviet deliveries. The Soviet commitment included: 1 million tons of grain for cattle, and of legumes (120 million Reichsmarks), 0.9 million tons of oil (115 million Reichsmarks), 0.1 million tons of cotton (90 million Reichsmarks), 0.5 million tons of phosphates, 0.1 million tons of chrome ores, 0.5 milliom tons of iron ore, 0.3 million tons of scrap iron and pig iron, and smaller quantities of platinum, Manganese ore, metals, lumber, and numerous other raw materials. I effect throughout 1940 and half of 1941 while America was supplying Britain, the Soviet Union was supplying NAZI Germany. Communist parties in Britain and France opposed the war effort. The Communst Party in America opposed President Roosevelt's efforts to expand defense spending and assist Britain and France.
The Soviets also facilitated contacts between Germany and Japan.
The German auxiliary cruiser Komet gained some fame when it sailed to the Pacific from Norway. Soviet ice breakers helped open a sea lane north of Siberia (August and September 1940). The voyage took 3 weeks. Komet operated in the Pacific for a year. It returned to Germany (November 30, 1941). The northern route of course was no longer possible.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to Main Axis page]
[Return to Main World War II European campaign page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]