What Was the Agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union Called

The agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union, signed in 1939, is commonly known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This non-aggression treaty between the two countries was named after Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov and German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop.

The agreement was a significant event leading up to World War II, as it allowed the Axis Powers to divide Europe. The pact contained a secret protocol where the Soviet Union would gain control over parts of Eastern Europe, including the Baltic states. Germany, in turn, was given a free hand to invade and occupy Western Europe.

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact drew widespread criticism from the international community, including the United States and its allies who saw the agreement as a direct threat to peace and stability in Europe. In fact, the treaty was a significant contributing factor to the outbreak of World War II as it emboldened Hitler to invade Poland in September 1939.

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was eventually broken in 1941 when Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Although the two countries had initially agreed to remain neutral if either was attacked by a third party, Hitler viewed the Soviet Union as a threat to his plans for world domination and launched Operation Barbarossa, a massive invasion of the Soviet Union.

In conclusion, the agreement between Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939 was known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty that allowed both countries to divide Europe. This infamous pact was a significant contributing factor to the outbreak of World War II, and its eventual breakdown led to one of the deadliest conflicts in human history.