How Accurate Is the Cartoon "Rendezvous" by David Low?

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The cartoon “Rendezvous” was commissioned on the 20th September 1939, approximately 3 weeks after Britain and France declared war on Germany, illustrating the relationship behind the Nazi-Soviet pact formed in August 1939 between the bitter enemies, Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler. This cartoon portrays a very negative outlook on the pact however David Low himself was very critical of the Nazi-Soviet pact, suggesting that the source could be biased, which leads to the question, how accurate is the cartoon “Rendezvous” by David Low? The source depicts Stalin and Hitler, bowing and raising their hats to one another and smiling garishly. From first glance, it seems as if the politeness is genuine, however this is contradicted by the dialogue above them. Hitler is stating “The scum of the earth I believe,” to which Stalin replies with “The bloody assassin of the workers I presume.” This gives the idea that the bowing, smiling and lifting their hats is superficial politeness and their friendship is staged. The fact that they are also both armed gives the impression that they do not trust each other which was in fact true as it was known that Hitler did not keep his promises. The man lying dead on the floor and the smoke and wreckage in the background symbolizes Germany and the USSR’s joint defeat over Poland. On the 1st September, 1939, Germany invaded Poland from the West, on 17th September 1939, the Soviet forces invaded Poland from the East. Poland attempted to fight back but soon fell. It was thought that Hitler’s next move would be to attack his temporary ally, the Soviets as he had got what he wanted from them. However Britain and France had previously signed an agreement to defend Poland if anyone invaded their country, Hitler was certain that they would not go ahead with this and instead leave him to attack the USSR as he knew that the USSR was one of Britain’s
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