It is difficult to understand why Stalin would sign the Nazi-Soviet Pact, one of the most controversial events leading up to the outbreak of the Second World War. The orthodox view states that Stalin was in favor of and had sought a deal with the Germans all along. The opposing revisionist view posits that Stalin only made the deal with Germany because his preferred choice, an alliance with the Western Powers, had not come to fruition.

Supporting the revisionist view, this study examines Soviet foreign policy during the interwar period to demonstrate that Stalin was looking to ally with the Western Powers. The adoption of collective security shows that the Soviets were attempting to avoid war. The Triple Alliance negotiations show that the Soviets were trying to come to terms with the Anglo-French but on the eve of war, with no allies, they had to answer German advances. This study also considers the orthodox view and refutes its supporting points.