The Pact No One Expected: Stalin & Hitler’s Dangerous Gamble

The Pact No One Expected: Stalin & Hitler’s Dangerous Gamble
Kings and Generals historical animated documentary series on the Eastern Front of World War II starts out with the prelude episode #8. Previously we discussed the Spanish Civil War and how it affected the situation in Europe and beyond , while this episode will focus on the German-Soviet relations in the 1930s. As Europe edged toward war, Soviet diplomacy entered a desperate phase. In our latest video, we explore how Stalin's efforts to resist Hitler were met with skepticism from Britain and France, setting the stage for the infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. We begin with the Prelude to a Pact, tracing the uneasy buildup of tensions. Then we explore Soviet Diplomatic Maneuvers, including attempts to revive the Triple Entente and secure mutual defense treaties. But the Failure of Collective Security, especially during the Czechoslovak crisis, left the USSR isolated. As Britain, France, and the Missed Opportunity to align with Stalin slipped away, secret overtures to Germany began. In From Feelers to Agreement, we chart how both sides tested each other’s intent across the summer of 1939. It all culminated in the shocking Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and Secret Protocols, dividing Eastern Europe and paving the way for the outbreak of World War II.