In 1939, with whom did Germany sign a "Non-Aggression Pact"?
1 Answer
The Soviet Union.
Explanation:
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (the two foreign secretaries) seemed to be a very surprising alliance as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were sworn ideological enemies.
However there were advantages for both sides. It secured Germany's Eastern border in the event of an invasion of Poland, which duly happened. (Part of the Pact was a secret agreement to carve up Poland between them). This allowed Hitler to concentrate on an offensive in the West without worrying about a war on two fronts.
For the Soviets it bought Stalin valuable time. The Soviet leader knew that a war with Germany was virtually inevitable but his purges within the armed forces had left them weak and vulnerable.
The peace however was short lived. On 22nd June 1941 the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union and the largest military invasion in history.
