[PzLdr]

Hitler ordered the initial planning for BARBAROSSA in the summer of 1940 - before he'd finished off the French. The alliance with Stalin was aimed at his generals, who were less than enthusiastic about the war in the first place, and deeply concerned about a two front war [Germany's nightmare back to Frederick the Great]. Hitler never intended for that alliance to be more than a tactical truce.

[eddiespaghetti]

Hitler never intended for that alliance [THE LITVINOFF-VON RIBBENTROP PACT] to be more than a tactical truce.

Yes, you are right on that. Neither did Stalin, but he thought that when the time came to fight Germany, it would be on HIS terms. Guess he was wrong.

[rmlew]

Hitler ordered the initial planning for BARBAROSSA in the summer of 1940 - before he'd finished off the French. The alliance with Stalin was aimed at his generals, who were less than enthusiastic about the war in the first place, and deeply concerned about a two front war [Germany's nightmare back to Frederick the Great]. Hitler never intended for that alliance to be more than a tactical truce.

And yet the cynical alliance stood until June 1941, despite the realization of both leaderst that the other wanted war on his own terms.