Joseph Stalin-Soviet Dictator and Mass Murderer

Joseph Stalin’s 130^th birthday is today.  That he was ever born and lived out his evil, bloody life is a cause for despair and sadness.  Joseph Stalin was, without a doubt, one of the vilest, most villainous dictators in history.  Only Hitler surpasses Stalin in the annals of war and genocide.

Russia’s remaining Communists, though, choose to ignore his crimes (or, perhaps they actually applaud them.  Being Communists, you never know what they truly believe), and instead want to celebrate the birth of their long-lost hero.  For those who may not be fully aware of what Stalin did in his criminal career to deserve this status just below Hitler in

Warsaw Burning During the German Invasion of 1939

 

The German Invasion of Poland (September 1, 1939-October 6, 1939)–Germany invaded Poland on September 1, and Britain, France, and Canada, declared war on Germany on September 3. The Soviet Union joined the war on Germany’s side on September 17, with the Soviet Invasion of Poland from the east. The German Invasion of Poland (called Operation Case White/Unternehmen Fall Weiss by the Germans), marks the beginning of World War Two in Europe.

For more information, links, images, and videos, see:

http://www.historyguy.com/worldwartwo/german_invasion_of_poland_1939.htm

http://www.historyguy.com/worldwartwo/world_war_two_video_german_invasion_of_poland.htm and http://www.historyguy.com/worldwartwo/world_war_two_images_invasion_of_poland.htm

Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a Non-Aggression treaty on August 23, 1939. This treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union set the stage for the German invasion of Poland a week later, which was the opening round of World War Two in Europe. The second part of this treaty remained secret, and called for the division of Eastern Europe between Hitler and Stalin.

By getting Stalin to agree to not oppose an invasion of Poland, Hitler was assured of a fairly easy war, or so he thought.  The agreement to divide Eastern Europe between them ensured that Moscow would not join the British and French in a defense of Poland.  The Soviet victory four days earlier in the short border war with Japan (See Battle of Khalhkin Gol) allowed Stalin to free up forces for his own aggression against Poland, the Baltic States, and Finland.

Had these two bloody-minded tyrants not signed this treaty, Hitler may not have invaded Poland, thereby triggering the European phase of World War Two.