Analysis of German-Soviet economic and political relations from 1939 to 1941

This dissertation deals with German-Soviet economic and political relations from 1939 to 1941. These were forms of totalitarian regimes whose cooperation was not suspended though its own dynamics were influenced by ideological, economic, and political conditions. One of the motives for the intensification of German-Soviet cooperation was Germany's attempt to secure self-sufficiency in the development of raw materials. The German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact of August 23rd, 1939 was a calculated accord with precise objectives when in both systems common national interests, which consisted also in the partition of Poland, overshadowed their ideological differences. This work outlines the circumstances of the negotiations, the main actors, and motives leading to the creation of the most significant trade agreements. It quantifies the Soviet deliveries exported to the German economy in the given period and analyzes the fulfillment of contractual obligations. A barely two-year business relationship in which Reich Foreign Ministry was significantly engaged provided more short-term benefits to the German war economy, especially in quantitative terms. It helped Hitler, among others, partially solve the import dependency. With regard to the structure of trade, the Stalinist regime was particularly important for the Nazi economy because of imports of raw materials and food. Reciprocally, Hitler's Germany represented a notable source of technologies and arms production. Business contracts completion was affected by military operations, strategic plans, contract terms and conditions, and other factors. In the last part, the thesis analyzes the German economic situation in the occupied territories of the USSR in the years 1941-1943 with respect to the area of present-day Ukraine and Belarus. The aim was to answer the question of whether the planned economic goals were achieved, and to characterize the most important factors influencing German economic gains. Part of this research was an analysis of the overall balance of obtained minerals, food, and labor in order to provide an answer to the question whether it was worth it, in purely quantitative terms, for Germany to terminate economic cooperation and attack the Soviet Union. Military action was motivated by economic objectives, while there is no doubt about the racially ideological background. In the elaboration and implementation of occupation policy representatives of the industrial and banking sectors or the Reich's ministries were actively involved. Benefits expected from the economic occupation of the Soviet territory were not realized. Efficiency and goals achievement were complicated by evacuation and collaboration, also corruption, guerrilla activities, and the concept of occupation policy.