Answer :
Final answer:
Hitler and Stalin were initially friendly due to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which was later broken when Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. Stalin sought substantial reparations from Germany post-war to help recover from the significant losses incurred during the conflict. This dynamic illustrates the complex relationships between the key figures in World War II.
Explanation:
1. Initial Friendship Between Hitler and Stalin
Hitler and Stalin seemed friendly at the beginning of World War II largely due to the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in August 1939. This non-aggression pact included secret protocols that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. This agreement allowed both leaders to feel secure in their expansionist agendas without the threat of conflict between the two powers.
2. The Break-Up of Friendship
The friendship between Hitler and Stalin fell apart when Hitler invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, in a military operation called Operation Barbarossa. This unprecedented attack represented a clear breach of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and transformed the relations between the two leaders into a bitter rivalry, ultimately leading to the Soviet Union joining the Allied Powers against Nazi Germany.
3. Stalin's Desire for German Reparations
Stalin was determined to obtain a large amount of reparations from Germany after the war for several reasons. The Soviet Union suffered devastating losses during World War II, with millions of casualties and extensive destruction of infrastructure. Reparations would not only aid in the physical reconstruction of the Soviet state but also serve as a form of compensation for the human toll caused by the German invasion, reinforcing Stalin's position both domestically and internationally.
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