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Revision as of 10:07, 26 May 2006 by Molobo (talk | contribs) (please no Reich apologism)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Anti-Comintern Pact was concluded between Nazi Germany and Japan on November 25, 1936. In 1937, Italy also joined the pact, which was directed against the Communist International (Comintern) in general, and the Soviet Union in particular.
- "recognizing that the aim of the Communist International, known as the Comintern, is to disintegrate and subdue existing States by all the means at its command; convinced that the toleration of interference by the Communist International in the internal affairs of the nations not only endangers their internal peace and social well‑being, but is also a menace to the peace of the world desirous of co‑operating in the defense against Communist subversive activities"
In case of an attack by the Soviet Union against Germany or Japan, the two countries agreed to consult on what measures to take "to safeguard their common interests". They also agreed that neither of them would make any political treaties with the Soviet Union, and Germany also agreed to recognize the Japanese puppet regime in Manchuria.
In 1937 Italy joined the Pact, thereby forming the group that would later be known as the Axis Powers. Italy's decision was more or less a reaction against the failed Stresa front, the Franco-British initiative of 1935 designed to keep Nazi Germany from extending beyond her present borders. In particular, both nations tried to block "German expansionism", especially the annexation of Austria, which was also in Italy's best interests to prevent. Nevertheless, when Engelbert Dollfuss was assassinated by Austrian Nazis, such a union seemed inevitable. Distrustful relations and Benito Mussolini's own expansionism furthered the distance between Italy and Britain, as well as France. Italy invaded the African State of Abyssinia in October 1935, an act of unprovoked aggression that was a breach of League of Nations policy. Nevertheless, Britain and France hashed out a secret agreement with Italy to give her two-thirds of Abyssinia, known as the Hoare-Laval Pact. When this information was leaked to the public in Britain and France, their governments were mired in scandal, the British Foreign Secretary, Samuel Hoare, was forced to resign. Consequently, the Hoare-Laval Pact was aborted and Italy realized that the governments of France and Britain would be less accommodating in the future.
Earlier, in June 1935, the surprise Anglo-German Naval Agreement was signed between the United Kingdom and Nazi Germany. This marked the beginning of a series of attempts by Adolf Hitler to improve relations between the two countries, form a pact and isolate the Soviet Union, while both the Soviet Union and Britain attempted to do the same and isolate Germany.
Hitler also tried to turn Poland into a German puppet state under the guise of settling territorial issuses and and an invitation to join the Anti-Comintern Pact. Despite extensive diplomatic and propaganda efforts aimed against the Polish state, Poles refused to surrender their sovereignty
Hitler's efforts to appease Britain also failed. In August 1939, Germany broke the terms of the Anti-Comintern Pact when the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed, making a non-aggression agreement between the Soviet Union and Germany official. However, by 1940, Hitler began to plan for a potential invasion of the Soviet Union and the German foreign minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop, was sent to negotiate a new treaty with Japan. On September 25, 1940, Ribbentrop sent a telegram to Vyacheslav Molotov, the Soviet foreign minister, informing him that Germany, Italy and Japan were about to sign a military alliance. Ribbentrop tried to reassure Molotov by claiming that this alliance was to be directed towards the United States and not the Soviet Union:
- "Its exclusive purpose is to bring the elements pressing for America's entry into the war to their senses by conclusively demonstrating to them if they enter the present struggle they will automatically have to deal with the three great powers as adversaries."
The Anti-Comintern Pact was revived in 1941, after Germany's assault on the Soviet Union that commenced with Operation Barbarossa and on November 25 its renewal for another five years was celebrated. This time the parties were: Germany, Japan, Italy, Hungary, Spain, Manchukuo, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Romania, Slovakia, and the Nanking regime in China.
See also
External links
- Statement by Ribbentrop on the Declaration of War on the Soviet Union 22 June 1941
- The text of the Anti-Comintern Pact
- The text of the Supplementary protocol of the Pact
- The text of Italian participation to the Pact