Germany and Russia in WWII?

Question

Germany signed a non agression pact with Russia, yet later on, the Nazis attacked Russia. What broke the agreement?

Answer 1

I think most of the answer has already been given. The Germans, of course, broke the agreement. But don't forget that the pact was a marriage of convenience as both parties were each others arch enemies. Hitler wanted his 'Lebensraum' (which he proclaimed often enough), Stalin wanted to spread the 'Revolution' (which is basically the same thing).

The Russians were having a lot of domestic trouble (the purges, the five-year plan and so on) and also feared an attack by the Japanese in Siberia. So they needed to cover their backs. As did the Germans, who wanted to attack Poland and they feared a reaction from Britain and France (and rightly so) so they couldn't afford to fight a two front war.

There's also been some talk (by some notable Russian historians, among others) about Stalin planning to launch a pre-emptive attack on Germany in 1941/1942 -which would to some extent 'justify' Hitler's 'Fall Barbarossa'. But in my opinion, that is a rather fanciful take on history.

So in short, the Germans broke the agreement, even though both sides must have seen it coming.

Answer 2

Hitler had no intention to keep the agreement in place. As far back as the 20's in his Mein Kempf, he looked to the east for living space for the German folk.

His idea was to have the Pact in place purely for convenience as he dealt with Poland, France and Britain. The Pact made sure there would be no 'two front' war which even he knew was a major blunder in WWI.

When he attacked Russian in 1941, breaking the Pact, Britain still was not vanquished, however they were not agressive and one could say there wasn't a 'two front' war in 1941.

Answer 3

It was always Hitler's aim to war on the Soviet Union. Partly because there was so much land that had been 'German' before WWI in the eastern countries and Soviet Union and partly - mainly - because it was a "Communist", Slavic (so non-Aryan) country. Add the Ukrainian wheat fields, the minerals and ores and the oil, and it was too much to leave in the hands of sub-humans!! The Non-Aggression Pact was purely to see that the more 'German' parts of Poland could be safely acquired, and that Germany would be free to wage war on the Western Front without worrying that there would be an attack from the east. Operation Barbarossa was planned long before Hitler invaded France - some say it was planned before the western campaign! It appears that Hitler felt flushed with success after conquering most of Europe. He was frustrated by the failure of the Battle of Britain, but felt the Allies were essentially 'cooped up' on the islands of Britain and could never get into "Fortress Europe". When it still seemed Germany was winning, he launched Barbarossa, to acheive his main aim. (It suprised many he waited as long as he did.) In short, then, the Non-Aggression Pact was purely tactical and always intended to be temporary. (And it did help that Soviet forces in Poland were still fitting into their new defensive positions, while their removal from 'Russian' soil weakened their defenses.)

Answer 4

the war was going so well for Germany on the western front and since Hitler never had any real intention of keeping the pact, nor did Russia, Hitler decided to beat Stalin to the punch. but the same thing that got Napoleon got the Germans. the Russian winter.

Answer 5

Hitler always meant to attack Russia.
In his book "Mein Kampf". he mentioned the need to expand Germany's frontiers to the east to give Germans more lebensraum. He was thinking of the vast teritory of Russia when he wrote this.
He just used the pact with Stalin to force the Poles to fight on two fronts and give him an easy victory.

Answer 6

It was broken because Hitler never intended to respect it. He signed it to keep his back safe while he attacked the western countries but he always intended to invade Russia.
In his doctrine Russians were 'under-humans' and deserved only to serve their better. Hitler wanted the famous 'greater Germany' back and that included all the lands the Teutonic knights had ridden over, and those went far east.

Answer 7

Germany invading Russia broke the treaty. Much good info at Wikipedia

Answer 8

1. Hitler's need for oil.
2. Hitler's hatred for the USSR - the alliance had only been a question of convenience.
3. Hitler's pride. He wanted to show he could do better than Napoleon.

Answer 9

The first answer is correct: Hitler broke the agreement.
Clean and simple.

The second answer (Kitsune) contains ridiculous and doubtful info from a well-known revisionist Suvorov. Serious historicians view his claims as pure falsification and mis-manipulation of facts.

Answer 10

Would you trust a Nazi and do you think they'd keep there word, I Think not