Churchill's relationship with Stalin

Question 1

How can we characterise Churchill’s relationship with Stalin initally?

Answer 1

• Politically polarized. (Cap vs Com) Churchill believed communism was evil.
• Formation of the Grand Alliance on purely practical grounds.

Question 2

What was the USSR war like in 1939-1941?

Answer 2

• Signed Nazi-Soviet pact of non-aggression with Hitler in 1939.
• Worked with Hitler and carried out the Katyn massacre in Poland.
• Joined the side of Britain following the Nazi invasion of Operation Barbarossa in 1941.

Question 3

What was the Katyn Massacre?

Answer 3

A Soviet massacre of Polish prisoners in Katyn.
- 4,253 people executed.
- Stalin personally ordered this

Question 4

How did Operation Barbarossa change Churchill’s relationship with Stalin in 1941?

Answer 4

Churchill was quick to send aid to support USSR. Created a strong alliance and USSR joined the Grand Alliance.

Question 5

What were Churchill’s aims with Russia?

Answer 5

• To stay in the war to weaken Germany
• To meet Russian demands of a second front in France as soon as possible.

Question 6

What were Stalin’s aims in 1941?

Answer 6

To keep the lands gained in the war.

Question 7

What problems emerged between the aims of Churchill and Stalin?

Answer 7

• Stalin’s desire for land gain conflicted the Atlantic Charter.
• The second front in France contradicted the Mediterranean Strategy

Question 8

What was settled in Churchill’s meeting with Stalin in Moscow, 1942?

Answer 8

• Relations were improved with alcohol
• Churchill ‘promised’ a second front but did not provide a date.
• post-war territory remained unresolved.

Question 9

What was Churchill worried about if they did not appease Russia?

Answer 9

That Stalin would negotiate with Hitler