The Molotov Ribbentrop Pact (1939)
I. Introduction
On June 22, 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, effectively ending a two year long non-aggression peace pact between the two countries. Originally drafted and signed in August of 1939 between Germany and The Soviet Union, the Molotov Ribbentrop Pact was an agreement to not attack each other for ten years and divide the countries that lay between them.
Thesis Statement
The Molotov Ribbentrop Pact was a pact of non-aggression between Germany and The Soviet Union to protect each country from attack from one another. This was a pact of non-aggression between Germany and The Soviet Union to protect each country from attack. This pact was an unexpected move between the two countries, which helped to strengthen the relationship, and was a move to align powerful countries together while on the verge of a World War.
II. Body
1. The Molotov Ribbentrop Pact
a. What was included in the pact
b. The countries and officials involved in the signing
c. What was life in Germany like in 1939 before and after the signing of the pact.
2. What was life in Germany like in 1939 before and after the signing of the pact.
a. Life for civilians and military personnel
b. What led to German officials’ decision to sign a pact
c. What was life in the Soviet Union in 1939 before and after the signing of the pact.
3. What was life in the Soviet Union in 1939 before and after the signing of the pact.
a. Life for civilians and military personnel
b. What led Soviet officials’ decision to sign a pact
c. The signing of the Molotov Ribbentrop Pact
4. The signing of the Molotov Ribbentrop Pact
a. What were the effects on each country
b. What was the effect on neighboring countries
c. Who was involved in drafting and signing of the pact, and their mark on history.
III. Conclusion
The Molotov Ribbentrop Pact was a pact of non-aggression between Germany and The Soviet Union to protect each country from attack from one another. This pact was an unexpected move between the two countries, which helped to strengthen the relationship, and was a move to align powerful countries together while on the verge of a World War. However, in hindsight we see that two countries who are willing to divide power amongst other countries, will soon turn on themselves and break any pact or promise between them. This non-aggression pact was made by two aggressive powers and was ultimately broken by invasion.
IV. Annotated Bibliography
“German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Accessed November 18, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/event/German-Soviet-Nonaggression-Pact.
This is a summary of the pact and the impact it had on Germany and The Soviet Union, and the surrounding countries. The website goes into detail of the main signers of the pact, the worldly response to the pact.
History.com Editors. “Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, November 9, 2009. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/molotov-ribbentrop-pact.
This article gives a good summary of the pact, the impacts it had on Europe, and what was going on around the world at the time of the pact.
Nelsson, Richard. “The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact – Archive, August 1939.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, July 24, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/world/from-the-archive-blog/2019/jul/24/molotov-ribbentrop-pact-germany-russia-1939.
This article is an overview of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. It breaks down parts of the pact and explains what it means. It also has a breakdown from the perspective of London.
United States holocaust memorial museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Accessed November 18, 2022. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-soviet-pact.
This article is a breakdown of the pact itself and what it promised to each country that signed.
Wesolowsky, Tony, and Matthew Luxmoore. “Molotov-Ribbentrop What? Do Russians Know of Key World War II Pact?” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, August 23, 2019. https://www.rferl.org/a/molotov-ribbentrop-what-do-russians-know-of-key-wwii-pact/30123950.html.
This article summarizes the pact, the influence on Europe, and the people involved in the pact. The article speaks to the history of the pact looking back on it today and how it changed the protocol of the war.
“World War II: The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.” The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (August 1939). Accessed November 18, 2022. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-august-1939.
This is the text of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.