Hitler's Next Target - Poland

Hitler's promise to make no further demands upon territory in Europe went against the ideas he established in Mein Kampf. The desire for "living space" in the East put the newly created country of Poland, in jeopardy. Furthermore, Poland was created from parts Germany after the Great War. This caused problems for the "Polish corridor" that cut a small part of Germany off from the rest of the country. This also meant that parts of the Poland held German-speaking people that Hitler wanted.

The Nazi - Soviet Pact

It became obvious to the leaders of Europe that Poland would be Hitler's next target. England and France both promised Poland that they would come to her aid to stop Hitler. The Soviet Union also became worried about Hitler's intentions for Poland. If Germany took over Poland that would mean that the two countries would have a common border.

Stalin was concerned for two reasons. First, Hitler hated communism, and had fought with the German communist party during his rise to power. Once in power, Hitler rounded up German communists, and placed them in concentration camps. The second concern was based upon Hitler's ideas of "living space." Hitler had identified the western part of Soviet Union as one of the areas to be taken by Germany in the future.

Fear over German intentions in Poland drove Stalin to look for help from England and France. The USSR proposed an alliance to protect Poland and therefore, the Soviet Union. Both England and France did not trust Stalin and talks broke down quickly. In desperation, Stalin in a move that shocked the world turned to Hitler for an agreement. The expression, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, applied in this scenario.

In 1939, the hatred between Hitler and Stalin seemed forgotten, and they signed a pact agreeing not to fight each other. They also agreed to divide Poland between them. This would give Stalin a buffer zone in case Germany attacked in the future. Both men were happy with the temporary arrangement. Hitler did not have to fear Soviet interference while invading Poland. Stalin bought time to modernize his country, and armies for a possible war.