Which event occurred as a result of the Nazi-Soviet treaty of nonaggression in August 1939?

Which event occurred as a result of the Nazi-Soviet treaty of nonaggression in August 1939?

• A. Hitler's invasion of Poland
• B. The end of Hitler's aggression in Europe
• C. The U.S. declaration of war against Germany
• D. England's confirmation of the effectiveness of appeasement

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how the pact changed the risk calculus for Nazi Germany. By promising nonaggression and secretly agreeing to divide Eastern Europe, the treaty removed the fear of a Soviet counterattack if Germany moved against Poland. That clearance set the stage for Germany to invade Poland on September 1, 1939, which in turn led Britain and France to declare war and begin World War II. The other options don’t fit because the pact did not stop aggression, the United States did not declare war on Germany until 1941, and this event did not demonstrate the success of appeasement.

The key idea is how the pact changed the risk calculus for Nazi Germany. By promising nonaggression and secretly agreeing to divide Eastern Europe, the treaty removed the fear of a Soviet counterattack if Germany moved against Poland. That clearance set the stage for Germany to invade Poland on September 1, 1939, which in turn led Britain and France to declare war and begin World War II. The other options don’t fit because the pact did not stop aggression, the United States did not declare war on Germany until 1941, and this event did not demonstrate the success of appeasement.