Eastern Front Prelude #0.8 The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

Last time we spoke about the Spanish Civil War. In the backdrop of 1930s Spain, a storm brews as political tensions peak following the abdication of King Alfonso 13th. The establishment of the Second Spanish Republic ignites hopes of reform among the progressive populace but alienates conservative factions. This polarization breeds violence, with the left, led by socialists and anarchists, clashing with monarchists and fascists. In July 1936, a military coup, spearheaded by General Francisco Franco, sparks the Spanish Civil War. As battles rage, international powers intervene, with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy backing Franco, while the Soviet Union supports the Republicans. Amidst brutal conflict, notable events unfold, like the devastating bombing of Guernica, which embodies the war's horrors and ignites global outrage. By 1939, after years of ferocious fighting, Franco emerges victorious, establishing a dictatorship that endures for decades, forever altering Spain's trajectory. The war, a precursor to WWII, becomes a haunting reminder of the cost of ideological battles.

This episode is Prelude #8 The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

Well hello there, welcome to the Easter Front week by week podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800’s until the end of the Pacific War in 1945. 

Hello again, today we are diving into the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and the events right before the outbreak of WW2! Since its establishment, the Soviet Union was apprehensive about the possibility of German revanchism. This concern intensified when Hitler rose to prominence and seized power in the early 1930s. Stalin emphasized that the Soviets would strive to overcome the country’s diplomatic isolation, particularly concerning France and the United Kingdom, which had been allies during World War I. He urged them to acknowledge the new European security landscape under Hitler's regime and sought to revive the Triple Entente, encouraging Britain and France to engage in negotiations on this issue. Basically it was a large case of the enemies of my enemy are my friends. 

By 1935, it was evident to everyone in the Soviet Union that multilateral treaties were essential for effectively deterring Hitler's expansionist ambitions. The Soviet Foreign Minister, Maxim Litvinov, worked tirelessly to forge a mutual defense pact with France. This task proved challenging, particularly due to political opportunists in France who seized the negotiations as an opportunity to portray the Soviets as the real threat to peace in Europe. Ultimately, the treaty was signed on May 2, 1935, and established a mutual defense agreement between the Soviet Union and France. It was intended to provide support in case of an attack by Germany or any other aggressor. The treaty aimed to bolster France's security and form a united front against fascism in Europe. However, it lacked specific military commitments and was often seen as more symbolic than practical. The French, lacking enthusiasm, diluted the treaty by stipulating that commitments to the Soviet Union would only become obligatory after the League of Nations was formally involved and the other signatories of the Treaty of Locarno had been consulted. Essentially, it amounted to a hollow promise of support. The Soviets were undeterred by this setback. Following the Soviet-French treaty, the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia signed their own mutual assistance treaty on May 16, 1935. This agreement committed the Soviet Union to support Czechoslovakia in the event of an attack, offering military assistance and cooperation. The treaty aimed to strengthen Czech defenses, particularly against German expansionism. However the treaty was ultimately weakened when France and the United Kingdom pressured Czechoslovakia into accepting Germany's terms during the Sudetenland crisis. 

As I mentioned in a previous episode, prior to the annexation, Czechoslovakia had built a robust system of fortifications along its borders, particularly in the Sudetenland. The Czechoslovak defensive strategy relied heavily on this region's fortifications, which were among the most advanced in Europe at that time. With a mountainous landscape, the Sudetenland provided an excellent defensive position, enabling Czechoslovak forces to monitor and potentially repel any German advan