Why Did the United Kingdom and United States Ally with the Soviet Union in 1941 Despite Their Previous Alliance with Germany?

The Great Powers of World War II sought to defeat the Nazi threat, leading to some unexpected alliances. The case of the United Kingdom (UK) and United States allying with the Soviet Union in 1941, despite their previous collaboration with Germany, provides a fascinating insight into the complex nature of wartime negotiations and the shifting priorities of world leaders.

1. The Prioritization of Defeating Nazi Germany

Churchill and Roosevelt stood as the leaders who recognized the immense threat posed by Nazi Germany. For Churchill, the evil of the Soviet Union paled in comparison to the barbarism of the Nazis. Roosevelt, while the exact nature of his views on the Soviet Union is debated, found the Nazi threat too great to ignore. Both leaders prioritized the defeat of Nazi Germany as their top objective.

2. The Strategic Significance of Fighting Each Other

Historically, history has shown that conflicts between nations can sometimes lead to surprising alliances. The UK and the US both recognized that the most significant threat to their survival and the broader western world was Nazi Germany. With the Nazis waging war in the East against the Soviets, it became strategically advantageous for the Allies to support the Soviet Union. This division of the Axis powers had a beneficial effect on their own war effort.

One viewpoint argues that 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' was the guiding principle. The UK and US were relieved to see the Germans and Soviets engage in a bloody conflict, as it marginally decreased the pressure on their front lines. This was not a case of mutual affection but rather a strategic alliance that simplified their own war effort.

3. Ideological and Political Considerations

Both the UK and the US were grappling with ideologies. They saw that the Soviet Union, with its stance on communism and liberalism, was more aligned with their own political leanings compared to the ultra-nationalist attitudes of the Nazis. The liberal democracies recognized the enemy of their enemy as a strategic asset. A political alignment with the USSR also meant they could avoid advocating for policies that were unpopular in their home countries, such as strict nationalism and isolationism.

4. The Context of the Axis Powers

Both the UK and the US were already aware of the aggressive actions of the Soviet Union, particularly in Poland and Finland. Despite these earlier conflicts, the common enemy in Nazi Germany necessitated an alliance. Churchill famously remarked, 'We will fight them on the beaches, we will fight them on the landing grounds, we will fight them in the fields and in the streets, we will fight them in the hills, we will never give an inch, we will never surrender.' This emphasis on unity against a common threat underscores the pragmatic nature of wartime alliances.

5. The Potential for a Different Outcome

Had Japan not attacked Pearl Harbor, the United States might have remained neutral for longer, potentially leaving the Soviet Union to fall to Germany. This hypothetical scenario highlights the critical turning point that the entry of the US into the war brought. Historical accounts, such as the one in Churchill's autobiography, emphasize that if Hitler had invaded Hell, even Churchill would have had some kind of courtesy for the devil in his speeches and writings.

Ultimately, the UK, US, and Soviet Union shared a common cause in the form of their alliance against Nazi Germany. Their strategic and ideological alignment with the Soviet Union during this period was a case of pragmatic and expedient alliances. These circumstances created a complex and often contradictory set of relationships, but one that was undoubtedly crucial for the outcome of World War II.

Keywords: World War II, UK-US-Soviet Union alliance, Nazi Germany, Axis Powers