Nazi-Soviet Pact and the Bolsheviks

The Bolsheviks

• Tsar Nicholas II was the last ruler of Russia. He was also the king of Poland and the leader of Finland.

• During World War I, he tried to lead the Russian army but wasn't good at it. This caused Russia to lose many battles.

• People were suffering because of money problems, not enough food, and the government being dishonest. This made people angry and led to Czar Nicholas II being overthrown.

• The Bolsheviks were a group that broke away from the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP). Vladimir Lenin was their leader.

• They were a communist party that started the USSR (Soviet Union).

Key People

• Vladimir Lenin:

  • He led the Bolshevik Revolution and became the first leader of Soviet Russia.

  • People thought he was a smart leader.

• Joseph Stalin:

  • He became the dictator (leader with total power) of the Soviet Union after Lenin.

  • He was a harsh leader who caused many people to die, even his own people.

• Lenin vs. Stalin:

  • Lenin was a thinker and more realistic.

  • Stalin was a brutal dictator who controlled people through fear.

The Nazi-Soviet Pact

• This was an agreement signed between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union on August 23, 1939.

• It was a promise not to attack each other.

• The agreement allowed Germany and the Soviet Union to take over more land without fighting.

• But it ended when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941.

What the Agreement Was For

1. Taking Land:

   • Both countries wanted to divide up Eastern Europe so they could control more land.

2. No Fighting:

   • Germany and the Soviet Union promised not to attack each other. This allowed them to focus on their own plans.

3. Buying Time:

   • Both countries wanted more time to get ready for possible future wars. The Soviet Union needed to make its defenses stronger against Germany.

4. Advantage:

   • This agreement helped both sides avoid fighting while they worked on their plans, especially in Poland.

How the Agreement Started

• The Bolsheviks took control in 1917 (they were a communist party).

• The Bolsheviks wanted to spread communism.

• They became friends with Germany to help them do this.

• Germany became allies with them to avoid fighting a war on two fronts (so they could invade Poland).

• The agreement ended in less than 2 years when Germany decided to invade Russia.

• Germany took over Russia to get rid of the communist threat because Germany was fascist (a political system with strong central control).

• They wanted to take over the land for Germans to live there permanently.

Eastern Europe After the Agreement (1939-1940)

• The map shows:

  • Greater Germany (Germany's increased territory)

  • German Annexations (land taken over by Germany)

  • Axis Alignment (countries that sided with Germany)

  • Soviet Annexations (land taken over by the Soviet Union)

  • German-Soviet Demarcation Line (the line dividing the areas controlled by Germany and the Soviet Union)

Why the Agreement Led to World War II

• It let Germany do what it wanted because the USSR was communist and wouldn't try to make Germany communist.

• This allowed Germany to attack other countries, which eventually led to war.

Who's to Blame

• The agreement is seen as bad because it made Germany more aggressive and allowed them to invade Poland.

• It helped start World War II.

• The agreement also caused many people to suffer in the countries that were taken over.