Final answer:
Hitler violated the Nazi-Soviet Pact by launching Operation Barbarossa due to his pursuit of Lebensraum, resources, and the desire to eliminate communism, as well as confidence in Germany's military superiority over the Soviet Union.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hitler nullified the Nazi-Soviet Pact, officially known as the Non-aggression Pact, by invading the Soviet Union for several strategic and ideological reasons. Despite the initial terms that involved the division of Poland and mutual non-aggression, Hitler's ambitions went beyond mere territorial expansion. His core objectives included the desire for Lebensraum (living space), the quest for raw materials, and the elimination of communism, which he despised. The invasion, named Operation Barbarossa, launched on June 22, 1941, was composed of a massive force that caught the Soviet Union off guard, signaling a severe breach of trust and a pivotal moment in World War II as the Soviets joined the Allies in opposition to Germany.
Furthermore, Hitler believed that the Soviet Union represented a significant threat to his recent territorial gains in Eastern Europe and saw an opportunity to defeat an ideological enemy. His confidence was bolstered by witnessing the flaws in the Soviet military during their struggles in the Winter War against Finland. Additionally, there was a mutual distrust between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, despite their pact, with both sides having greater ambitions in Europe.
Lastly, the decision to invade was reinforced by the apparent weakness in Soviet defenses, as judged by Germany's assessment of previous Soviet military campaigns, and by the understanding that Britain's resistance, illustrated through the successful defense against German air attacks, allowed German forces to focus eastward rather than persisting in an unsuccessful campaign against Britain.