The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, officially known as the Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Soviet Union, was signed on August 23, 1939, in Moscow by Vyacheslav Molotov, the Soviet Foreign Minister, and Joachim von Ribbentrop, the German Foreign Minister. This pact had profound implications for the start of World War II.
In the late 1930s, both Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and the Soviet Union led by Joseph Stalin were ideologically opposed but pragmatically sought to avoid a two-front war. Hitler was looking to expand eastward while Stalin, concerned about the potential threat from both Japan and Germany, aimed to delay conflict with Germany.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact allowed:
The pact was annulled with the start of Operation Barbarossa. The secret protocol was not revealed until after the war, leading to significant controversy and condemnation for both the Soviet Union and Germany. The Soviet annexations based on the pact were not recognized by most Western governments, which considered these actions illegal under international law.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact is often cited as an example of realpolitik where ideological differences were set aside for strategic gains. It also significantly contributed to the post-war tensions, particularly in Eastern Europe, where the imposed borders and Soviet influence led to decades of Cold War dynamics.