# The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact - what was in it for Stalin? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 7, 2010, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-what-was-in-it-for-stalin/535259 "2010-04-07T10:33:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-what-was-in-it-for-stalin/535259/21 "2010-04-07T22:42:25Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > He got more than just half of Poland. He was guaranteed a free hand in the Baltic States (which he invaded and forced into the Soviet Union), Finland (which he invaded and failed to force into the Soviet Union), and Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina (which he forced Romania to give the Soviet Union). He also got a commercial treaty with Germany. While I wouldn’t suggest that the last point was any significant part of Stalin’s motivation in the deal, it is worth emphasising that the trade agreement across the new joint German-Soviet border tends to be forgotten in accounts of what unfolded in 1939-41. Both sides saw enormous temporary advantages in doing deals across this border and there was a lot of trading done between the two while the Pact held. ---
**Author:** ![Sizzles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e480ec/32.png) [@Sizzles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sizzles)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-what-was-in-it-for-stalin/535259/22 "2010-04-09T11:36:04Z")
Stalin wanted war between Germany and France/Britain. He hoped the European powers would exhaust themselve in a drawn-out WW1 type conflict, leaving the way clear for Russia to occupy all of Europe. The pact made it easier for Germany to start a war. Stalin nearly came unstuck, with the unexpected swift fall of France. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-what-was-in-it-for-stalin/535259/23 "2010-04-09T14:12:43Z")
> [@Walther\_Ego](#): > > …I think it’s **good evil thinking** from his part… Just had to say, this is the best oxymoron I’ve seen in a long, long time! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-what-was-in-it-for-stalin/535259.md?page=1)