Learn how the nonaggression pact between the Third Reich and the Soviet Union sealed Poland's fate before World War II
Soviet foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov, having negotiated the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact of August 1939, being greeted by German foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and other officials in Berlin. From “The Second World War: Prelude to Conflict” (1963), a documentary by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Spanish Republicans, abandoned by the democracies and relying on aid from the communists, carried on a losing struggle against fascism. From The Second World War: Prelude to Conflict (1963), a documentary by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzLearn about the Soviet blockade of West Berlin in 1948–49 and the U.S. and British airlift of food, fuel, and other supplies for the people there.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.How did we get from the Monroe Doctrine to covert ops?Media Editor: Lauren Sims
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From the film My Knees Were Jumping: Remembering the Kindertransports (1996), directed by Melissa Hacker (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Excerpts from the documentary film My Knees Were Jumping: Remembering the Kindertransports (1996), directed by Melissa Hacker.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Jldelawter/Dreamstime.comRemembering the Pearl Harbor attack, with a discussion of the USS Arizona Memorial.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.In 1933 Adolf Hitler's National Socialists were voted into power, and the campaign of terror began. From The Second World War: Prelude to Conflict (1963).
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzOverview of the Hitler Youth.
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Transcript
[Music in]
NARRATOR: Russian offers to help stem the tide of German aggression having been ignored, the Soviets lost patience with the Allies and decided to protect themselves for as long as possible. Accordingly, in August, 1939, they signed a cynical non-aggression pact with Germany. One of the provisos: that Russia would not interfere with a German invasion of Poland. Stalin's price for remaining neutral--Eastern Poland. Hitler was now free to act. And Poland's doom was sealed.
[Music out]
NARRATOR: Russian offers to help stem the tide of German aggression having been ignored, the Soviets lost patience with the Allies and decided to protect themselves for as long as possible. Accordingly, in August, 1939, they signed a cynical non-aggression pact with Germany. One of the provisos: that Russia would not interfere with a German invasion of Poland. Stalin's price for remaining neutral--Eastern Poland. Hitler was now free to act. And Poland's doom was sealed.
[Music out]
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