Answer :
Final answer:
The Soviet Union joined the Allies in response to Hitler's invasion, which violated their earlier non-aggression pact. Stalin's fears of German expansionism and desire to protect Soviet territory were key reasons for this shift. Ultimately, the Soviet Union's entry into the war was a defensive alignment against a common enemy, Germany.
Explanation:
Reasons for the Soviet Union Joining the Allies
The Soviet Union initially signed the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact in August 1939, which was largely motivated by mutual dependencies and fears. Stalin aimed to protect the Soviet Union against the expansionist aims of Hitler, while Hitler sought to avoid a two-front war as he prepared to invade Poland.
However, Hitler's ambitions and aggression did not stop there. By June 22, 1941, he betrayed the pact by launching Operation Barbarossa, a massive invasion of the Soviet Union. This act demonstrated Hitler's disregard for the agreement and signaled to Stalin that his previous attempts at diplomacy had failed. Consequently, the Soviet Union was compelled to join the Allies in order to counter Hitler’s invasion and protect its sovereignty.
The Key Motivations Behind the Soviet Union's Alignment with the Allies:
- Stalin was afraid of Hitler: Hitler’s growing power in Europe was a direct threat to the Soviet Union.
- Hitler broken a pact and attacked: The invasion of the Soviet Union by Germany marked the end of their non-aggression agreement.
- Hitler was becoming too powerful: The rapid expansion of Nazi control through Eastern Europe necessitated a united front against Germany.
- Territorial ambitions: Stalin sought to regain control of lost territories in Eastern Europe and viewed aligning with the Allies as a means to achieve this.
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