The Nazi-Soviet Pact signed in August 1939 was a turning point that made Hitler's plans for invasion more achievable. It ensured Germany would avoid a two-front war by allying with the Soviet Union and allowing them to divide up Poland between them. This removed a major strategic concern for Hitler and made it difficult for him to change course once the pact was signed, opening the door for Germany to invade Poland on September 1st and precipitating Britain and France's declaration of war against Germany.

1. CONTENT
ROAD TO WAR
HITLER’S SEVENTH MOVE
NAZI-SOVIET PACT
HOMEWORK
12

2. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMUFZfYWI0I&t=115s

3. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
HITLER HESITANT
Without the appeasement, Hitler was hesitant to make his next move.
He was worried about having to fight a war on two fronts – Britain and
France in the west, and Russia in the east.
Britain and France started to talk with Russia about how they could
work together against Germany but no one showed urgency.
Stalin was still bitter for being left out of the Munich Agreement
meeting.
Russia was also in talks with Germany and in August 1939 the Nazi-
Soviet Pact was signed.

4. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuBRvARuLi4

5. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
THE NAZI-SOVIET PACT UNDERSTANDING
The public part of the pact was that:
-the two countries agreed not to attack each other
The secret part of the pact was that:
-Germany and Russia would share Poland between them

6. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc352jIpilk

7. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
KEY POINT AND TASK
The Nazi-Soviet Pact was the turning point.
It made it possible for Hitler to carry out his plans.
It made it difficult for Hitler not to continue with his plans.
Was there not going back after this pact?
WRITE A PARAGRAPH WITH YOUR OPINION ABOUT THIS.

8. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
CRUCIAL FOR HITLER
The Nazi-Soviet Pact was crucial to Hitler’s plans because it meant that
he would not be faced with a war on two fronts.
He did not even expect Britain and France to defend Poland.
They had not stood up to him before, and what could they do about a
country hundreds of miles away?

9. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
KEY FACTS
On 1st of September, 1939 Germany invaded Poland.
On 3rd of September, Britain and France declared war on Germany.
On 15th of September, Russia invaded Poland from the east.
Poland was conquered within weeks and was divided up between
Germany and Russia.

10. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
HOMEWORK
Put these steps to war in the correct order and give each one a date:
-Nazi-Soviet pact and the invasion of Poland
-Germany send troops into the Rhineland
-Germany takes over Eastern Czechoslovakia
-The Anschluss with Austria
Correct answers on the next slide.

11. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – ROAD TO WW2 – MR. D
ANSWERS
1. Germany send troops into the Rhineland 1936.
2. The Anschluss with Austria 1938
3. Germany takes over Eastern Czechoslovakia 1939
4. Nazi-Soviet pact and the invasion of Poland 1939