German-Soviet Trade Agreement

The German-Soviet Trade Agreement of 1939 was an economic deal between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, primarily allowing both to buy and sell goods with each other. It facilitated the exchange of supplies, raw materials, and industrial products, helping both nations strengthen their economies. This agreement also included a secret protocol to divide spheres of influence in Eastern Europe. Politically, it enabled Germany to focus on its military ambitions without fearing Soviet aggression, and vice versa. Essentially, it was a strategic economic partnership that paved the way for their cooperation in the early stages of World War II.