The Treaty of Rapallo was signed in April 1922, during a time when both Germany and the Soviet Union found themselves diplomatically isolated after World War I. The treaty was signed in the Italian coastal town of Rapallo by German Foreign Minister Walther Rathenau and Soviet Foreign Minister Georgy Chicherin. It established a degree of mutual recognition and cooperation between the two nations, who were both facing significant challenges in the post-war environment. Germany was grappling with the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, while the Soviet Union was attempting to solidify its power following the Russian Revolution and ensuing civil war.

The treaty included provisions for the normalization of diplomatic relations and the establishment of economic ties. This was significant, as it allowed Germany to engage with the Soviet Union primarily to circumvent its own restrictions from the Versailles settlement. The economic aspect of the treaty encouraged cooperation in areas such as trade, industrial processes, and military technology. The agreement underscored the ideological affinity between the two states, presenting a counterbalance to the Western powers.

In the years following the treaty, the collaboration deepened, resulting in various military pacts and joint ventures, notably in the fields of arms development and military training. This partnership would serve both countries' interests until the rise of Adolf Hitler, which fundamentally altered the nature of Germany's foreign policy and its relationship with the Soviet Union.