Explain How Russia contributed to the outbreak of the second world war?
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ChatGPT
Jun 9
Russia, then known as the Soviet Union, played a significant role in contributing to the outbreak of the Second World War in several ways:
1. Non-aggression pact with Germany: In August 1939, the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This agreement included a secret protocol that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence between the two countries. This pact allowed Germany to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, effectively starting the war.
2. Invasion of Poland: In September 1939, following Germany's invasion of Poland, the Soviet Union also invaded Poland from the east, in accordance with the secret protocol of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This further escalated the conflict and contributed to the outbreak of the war.
3. Occupation of the Baltic States: In 1940, the Soviet Union occupied and annexed the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. This aggressive expansionism further destabilized the region and heightened tensions with other European powers.
4. Winter War with Finland: In November 1939, the Soviet Union launched an invasion of Finland in an attempt to gain territory and strategic advantage. Despite being significantly outnumbered and outgunned, the Finns put up a fierce resistance, leading to international condemnation of Soviet aggression.
Overall, Russia's actions in signing the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, invading Poland, occupying the Baltic States, and engaging in the Winter War with Finland all contributed to the outbreak of the Second World War by further destabilizing Europe and escalating tensions between major powers.
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Google Gemini AI
Jun 9
Russia's Contributions to the Outbreak of World War II:
1. Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939):
- A non-aggression pact signed between Germany and the Soviet Union. - Secret protocols divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, including the invasion of Poland. - It allowed Germany to attack Poland without fear of Soviet intervention.
2. Invasion of Poland (1939):
- Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, marking the beginning of World War II. - The Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east on September 17, 1939, occupying eastern Poland.
3. Annexation of Baltic States (1940):
- Following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union pressured Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to sign pacts of "mutual assistance." - This led to the annexation of these states into the Soviet Union.
4. Winter War (1939-1940):
- The Soviet Union invaded Finland in November 1939 to gain territory. - The invasion drew international condemnation and weakened Western trust in the Soviet Union.
5. Role in the Expansion of Axis Powers:
- The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and the invasion of Poland enabled Germany to strengthen its military and expand its territorial control. - This created a powerful Axis alliance that posed a significant threat to European stability.
Contributing Factors:
- Soviet Expansionism: Russia had a long history of territorial expansion and desired to secure its borders. - Ideological Differences: The Soviet Union's communist ideology clashed with Western democracies. - Lack of Diplomacy: Soviet foreign policy was often secretive and confrontational, hindering cooperation. - Western Appeasement: Western powers' willingness to appease Germany's expansionism emboldened the Axis powers.
Conclusion:
While Russia was not the sole cause of World War II, its actions, particularly the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and the invasion of Poland, contributed significantly to the outbreak of the conflict. These actions facilitated Germany's expansionism, divided Eastern Europe, and weakened Western trust in the Soviet Union.