World War II in Europe began on 1 September 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany. Later that month, the Soviet Red Army invaded the eastern regions of Poland under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. The Germans transferred the area around Jedwabne to the Soviets in accordance with the German–Soviet Boundary Treaty of 28 September 1939. Anna M. Cienciala writes that most of the Jews understandably welcomed the Soviets as the "lesser evil than the Germans", though the Orthodox Jewish majority rejected their ideology, and businesspersons and the assimilated Jewish intelligentsia did not trust their intentions; and soon enough the Soviets had moved against the Jewish intelligentsia, arrested leaders of the Jewish Bund, and nationalized private businesses. According to NKVD (Soviet secret police) documents about Jedwabne and the surrounding area, "few Jews were involved as agents and informers, fewer in fact than Poles", Cienciala writes. Some younger Jews did accept roles within the lower ranks of Soviet administration and militia, for "they believed in the Communist slogans of equality and social justice, while also welcoming the chance to become upwardly mobile." Nevertheless, what stuck in Poles' minds was "the image of Jews welcoming the Soviets", and the collaboration of some communist Jews with the NKVD.
World War II in Europe began on 1 September 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany Later that month the Soviet Red Army invaded the eastern regions of Poland under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact The Germans transferred the area around Jedwabne to the Soviets in accordance with the German–Soviet Boundary Treaty of 28 September 1939 Anna M Cienciala writes that most of the Jews understandably welcomed the Soviets as the "lesser evil than the Germans" though the Orthodox Jewish majority rejected their ideology and businesspersons and the assimilated Jewish intelligentsia did not trust their intentions; and soon enough the Soviets had moved against the Jewish intelligentsia arrested leaders of the Jewish Bund and nationalized private businesses According to NKVD (Soviet secret police) documents about Jedwabne and the surrounding area "few Jews were involved as agents and informers fewer in fact than Poles" Cienciala writes Some younger Jews did accept roles within the lower ranks of Soviet administration and militia for "they believed in the Communist slogans of equality and social justice while also welcoming the chance to become upwardly mobile" Nevertheless what stuck in Poles' minds was "the image of Jews welcoming the Soviets" and the collaboration of some communist Jews with the NKVD