Discuss the impact of the Russian Revolution on Russia’s relationship with Germany.

The Russian Revolution significantly altered Russia's relationship with Germany, transforming it from hostility to temporary cooperation.

The Russian Revolution, which occurred in 1917, had a profound impact on Russia's relationship with Germany. Prior to the revolution, Russia and Germany were adversaries in World War I. However, the revolution led to a shift in power from the Tsarist regime to the Bolsheviks, who were eager to end Russia's involvement in the war. This led to the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918, which marked a significant turning point in the relationship between the two nations.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty that ended Russia's participation in World War I. It was a highly controversial agreement that resulted in Russia ceding significant territory to Germany. Despite the heavy losses, the treaty allowed the Bolsheviks to consolidate their power within Russia and focus on establishing a communist state. This marked a temporary period of cooperation between Russia and Germany, a stark contrast to their previous hostile relationship.

However, this cooperation was short-lived. The end of World War I in November 1918 led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the establishment of the Weimar Republic in Germany. The new democratic government was opposed to the communist ideology of the Bolsheviks, leading to a cooling of relations between the two nations. Furthermore, the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, annulled the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, further straining the relationship.

In the years following the revolution, the relationship between Russia and Germany remained complex and fraught with tension. The rise of the Nazi Party in Germany in the 1930s led to a brief period of non-aggression with the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1939. However, this was broken by Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, marking the start of a brutal conflict between the two nations.

In conclusion, the Russian Revolution had a profound impact on Russia's relationship with Germany. It transformed their relationship from one of hostility to temporary cooperation, before descending into conflict once again. The revolution and its aftermath set the stage for the complex and often adversarial relationship between Russia and Germany in the 20th century.