How+far+was+the+Nazi-soviet+pact+responsible+for+the+outbreak+of+the+Second+World+War?

=__How far was the Nazi-soviet pact responsible for the outbreak of the Second World War?__=

The Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939, was an important factor which let Hitler invade Poland without having to fight a war on two fronts. However, the Treaty of Versailles which made Hitler more aggressive and caused the policy of appeasement was more important. Also, Hitler’s Foreign Policy was a major factor which triggered war. The Nazi Soviet Pact can be considered major causes of World War Two, however the policy of appeasement was the most important reason for the war.

The Nazi-Soviet pact was responsible for the outbreak of war because France and Britain had decided to finally intervene. Since Hitler had taken Czechoslovakia as a cause of Britain’s policy of appeasement, this frightened USSR and Stalin felt that the only way to keep the USSR safe was by signing the Nazi- Soviet pact. The Nazi-Soviet pact gave Hitler confidence in invading Poland and was a way to avoid war on two fronts. Britain and France on the other hand felt it was time to react and as soon as Germany’s army entered Poland they themselves mobilise their own military defences causing the second world war. As important as the Nazi-soviet pact was, appeasement is what forced Stalin to sign it in the first place.

The Nazi-Soviet Pact was responsible for the outbreak of the Second World War, but so was Hitler’s Foreign Policy. The Foreign Policy published in Hitler’s book, ‘Mein Kampf’ clearly stated that he wanted to abolish Communism. Germany and USSR signed the Nazi-Soviet Pact as Stalin was scared that Hitler attacked Russia as there was a lot of communism in the Soviet Union at that time. The Foreign Policy also included: to abolish the Treaty of Versailles as it was too harsh on Germany, and finally, to expand German living space, ‘lebensraum’. Hitler’s Foreign Policy was an important factor of the Second World War, but not as important as the Nazi-Soviet Pact.

The Treaty of Versailles was more important for the outbreak of the Second World War, than the Nazi-Soviet Pact. The Treaty of Versailles of 1919 triggered the Second World War, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Hitler’s aim was to revenge the harsh Treaty of Versailles. The military restrictions left Germany defenseless with an army of only 100,000 men, composed only of volunteers. So by, not only Germany’s pride was taken away, but also Germany had to pay £ 6600 million reparations, which caused hyperinflation. Along with the Sudetenland, the Polish Corridor, which allowed Germany access to the sea, was also taken away. The treaty was a ‘Diktat’, since Germany had to accept War Guilt Clause 231 and had no say in the terms. Therefore, the Nazi-Soviet pact was important but the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles was even more important.

The policy of appesement in the 1930‘s was one of the biggest causes of the Second World War. Britain and France gave Germany the Rhinaland, the Sudetenland and they were allowed to have an Anschluss with Austria. They also let Germany re-arm and get powerful. Appeasement led to the Munich Agreement in 1938. The Munich Agreement was the treaty which Stalin and Hitler signed to avoid war between each other. Stalin signed this treaty because Britain and France didnt want to be allies with Soviet Union and Stalin wanted to protect himself from Germany. Therefore the policy of Appeasemant was more important than the Nazi-Soviet Pact.

In conclusion, I believe that the Nazi-Soviet Pact is extremely important for the outbreak of the Second World War. However, it is not as important as the policy of appeasement, owning to the fact that the policy of appeasement frightened Stalin, which led to the Nazi-Soviet Pact. Appeasement had given Hitler confidence, as well enabling him to become strong militarily, therefore the Nazi-Soviet Pact was important, nevertheless, the policy of appeasement was even more important.