Final answer:
The German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, signed by Hitler and Stalin in August 1939, promised no conflict between Germany and the USSR and included a secret protocol to divide Poland, which significantly impacted the onset of World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact of 1939
In August 1939, Adolf Hitler and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin signed a pivotal agreement known as the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. This pact entailed a promise by Germany and the USSR not to attack each other, alongside a secret protocol to divide Poland and accommodate territorial adjustments for the Soviet Union, which included parts of eastern Poland and the Baltic States. This agreement allowed Hitler to prepare for his invasion of Poland without fear of Soviet intervention and signaled a temporary strategic alliance between the ideological enemies, ensuring Stalin could avoid conflict with Germany while strengthening his military forces.
Despite the agreement, both leaders had their respective ambitions, with Hitler planning the expansion into Eastern Europe and Stalin aiming to safeguard the USSR and potentially gain from the anticipated conflicts in Europe. The pact not only stunned the world but also shaped the early stages of World War II, leading to the invasion and division of Poland by Germany and the USSR, thereby igniting the global conflict.