The Beginning of World War II, 1939–1941

The outbreak of war

World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland.

Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later.

On September 17, the Soviet Union invaded eastern Poland under the arrangements associated with the German-Soviet Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.

The Soviet Union subsequently occupied or annexed additional territories in Eastern Europe and fought the Winter War against Finland.

During this initial period, Soviet Armenia was not a battlefield, and the Soviet Union had not yet entered the war against Germany.

Nevertheless, international developments affected Soviet military planning, economic priorities, and the strategic importance of the Caucasus.

Armenia's strategic location

The Armenian SSR occupied a sensitive position along the Soviet Union's southern frontier.

It bordered Turkey and Iran, placing it near regions of significant strategic importance.

The Caucasus contained valuable transportation corridors, industrial centers, agricultural resources, and access routes to the Middle East.

Most importantly, the wider Caucasus region included the oil-producing areas of Baku and, farther north, the petroleum resources of the North Caucasus.

Oil was essential to mechanized warfare. Tanks, trucks, aircraft, ships, and industrial production depended upon reliable fuel supplies.

Control of the Caucasus therefore became a major strategic concern for both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.