essay topic 2: transformation of Soviet's international position Flashcards
Essay plan: Agree was a superpower 1 due to Stalin being viewed as an oustanding world statesman
1)Stalin was viewed as an outstanding statesman after victory in the Great Patriotic War
The rise of the Soviet superpower was reflected in the diplomacy of the Grand alliance between the USSR, Britain and the US.
Was popular in USSR due to being an oustanding war leader and also fairly popular abroad as helped allies vs Germany.
Examples of this: War time summits after became clear WW2 would be won.
1-First summit to include Stalin was at Tehran in November 1943.
2- Moscow Conference 1944
Met with Churchill, however meeting was plagued by disagreement over the future of Poland.
3-The ‘Big Three’ met at Yalta in February 1945 after Germany had been defeated but while the war in the Far East was still continuing. By this stage was becoming clear that Britain exhausted and bankrupted by war, was an empire in decline and would be overshadowed and overpowered by the ‘superpowers’
4-Three allies met at Potsdam in July 1945- no final peace agreement despite Germany having been defeated. By this point was becoming clear that Britain was exhausted and bankrupted by the war, was an empire in decline and would be overshadowed by the two ‘superpowers.’
-Stalin was openly critical of his allies towards the end of WW2 especially at Tehran causing tension to increase between allies as only demanded unconditional surrender of Germany as suspicious that one of allies would make a deal w/ Germany.
-The Yalta Conference in 1945 clearly highlighted the ideological divisions of both the Soviet Union and America. These divisions played the fundamental role in intensifying international relations and damaging future prospects of cooperation between the two superpowers. During the conference both powers did come to some forms of agreements, notably the Declaration on Liberated Europe however they also proposed conflicting aims which meant the conference ended with no firm agreements on the future of the alliance between the powers or future of a war torn Europe. Consequently, both powers engaged in there own methods of restoring Europe which was seen through the Soviet Union’s rapid expansion throughout Europe and the establishment of a communist bloc. America also changed its stance from an isolationism power to an interventionist expanding its own influence and enforcing collective security - this was seen through the setup of NATO in 1949 which increased American influence in Europe. In addition, it should be added that NATO was set up to expand the influence of existing Western European alliances in the face of increasing fears of the Soviet Union’s expansion. This clearly demonstrates that the Soviet Union’s expansion into Eastern Europe was a fundamental factor in intensifying the Cold War, if not just accelerating divisions.
-Participation in such conferences and his being labelled as part of the ‘big three’.
-Their increased influence in foreign affaits allowed Stalin to ensure the USSR was a founding member of the UN with a position on the then-permanent security council. USSR was clearly one of the most influential nations as it was one of only 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Stalin demanded a single member veto as a condition for joining UN Security Council as a condition for USSR joining. This meant that USSR had the right to block a majority decision, thusgranting them extreme influence.
2) In addition to this, by the end of the war Stalin’s Russia had proved itself to be a military-industrial war machine with 7.5 million well-equipped soldiers. In addition to this it had expanded its control to the territory of the Baltic States and eastern Poland.
Agree 2 was a superpower as kept up with USSR in arms/race (nuclear power)
- USSR was able to increase its status and can arguebly be deemed as a superpower due to its production of an atomic bomb in 1949 to rival the US, which had been revealed in 1945 and was used to end war vs Japan.
- USA had advantage in power stakes, however after Stalin placed Beria in charge of accelerating USSR atomic bomb development.
- Committed huge resources and had 1st successful test on 29 Aug 1949 at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan.
- Can be stated that this offered great protection, strength and influence to Stalin as USSR and US were only nations to possess such resources. Therefore it is clear that this can be viewed as the factor that consolidated and finally confirmed Russia’s superpower status.
- USSR did not give up this advantage and instead bilt on the power and security it gave to Stalin as by the time of his death in 1953 the USSR was a major player in the nuclear arms race as had the capacity to manufacture hydrogen bombs by 1953.
Agree 3 Territory extended/ formation of soviet bloc was a superpower
1) By 1953 the boarders of Russia the USSR had been extended deep into central and Eastern Europe.
2) Stalin and his party proved able to manipulate and capitalise on “salami-slice” tactics. This enabled pro-Soviet governments gain power in places such as Poland and Hungary in 1947. This enabled the USSR to tighten its grasp over Eastern Europe, thus increasing the supplies and population, and consequently the power of the USSR.
3) Also established pro-Soviet govs in Romania and Bulgaria, as well as Czechoslovakia in 1948
4) -Able to establish authroiry and pro-Sov gov in East Germany in 1949.
- A provisional government was set up in Lubin in 1945, dominated by pro-Moscow communists.
- In 1945 Eastern Germany became a Soviet zone of occupation and in 1946 Moscow-trained communists took political control.
5) This communist bloc would play a majorrole in supporting and defending the USSR following the emergence of the Cold War.
6) Mention the nature of the “silami-slice” tactics. Subverted bourgeoisie or opposition parties from within a party through the use of small actions such as: Infiltration of Trade Unions (as a means of encouraging rebellion and opposition to gov as a means of allowing pro-Sov gov to be created) , journalism and propoganda, local government.
7) Sometimes USSR would target an individual by harrasment or violence. For example, in 1948 the anti-Soviet foreign minister Jan Masaryk of Czechoslovakia died from a “fall” from a high window.
8) Buffer states list: Estonia, Latvia, Poland, East Germany, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and many more.
9) Why is vital to have ‘buffer states’ (point for essay)
- Extended USSR territory, therefore granted them a greater population for armies, as well as more land and resources.
- Stalin was able to use USSR’s military presence and political influnece over local comm parties to encourage formation of govs ‘friendly’ to USSR.
- Created buffer states to add protection and support to USSR which would protect from future invasion from West.
- Successfully used regular purges and censorship (Soviet regime) as a means of maintaining loyalty.
- Rigged elections used to increase support by creating an illusion that it was a ‘choice’
10) Strategy of Eastern Bloc was one of the most subtle and efficient methods of securing Soviet dominance in Europe as allowed Stalin opportunity to take possession of these countries’ heavy metals, thus heling for a faster and more prosperous economic recovery, whilst also offering protection from any future Western invasion by creating a ‘buffer zone’. Undoubtedly was 1st step to converting USSR into a world power.
Agree 4 (use in same para as agree 3 as both about Eastern bloc) was a superpower
1) The Eastern Satellite states were forced to have pro-Soviet govs therefore increased USSR influence and control over several nations. Increasing power, protection and resources.
2) Often democratic elections in these states were fixed as a means of ensuring the pro-Sov gov obtained power.
3) Once in power the nationalist communist parties kerpt loyal to USSR via regular purges. Moreover, through terrible purges and executions, these countries were experiencing a totalitarian regime comparable to that prevailing in the USSR.
Other effects: The Soviet Union, after the creation of the satellite states, now had complete control over Eastern Europe. This created the separation between East and West (as expressed in Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain”).
Although the satellite states secured the Soviet Union as they were now able to act as buffer zones for future invasions, increased rivalry and distrust rose among the USA, Britain, and France that believed Stalin’s motives were political.
They thought that the satellites were a way to expand Soviet views on communism which was contrary to the East’s views on capitalism (as suggested in the Cold War).
4) Examples of Soviet satellite states:
1- Poland: Provisional government set up in Lubin which was dominated by a pro-Moscow government
2- Yugoslavia: Communist partisans led by Joseph Tipo gained control of the post-war governemnt.
5) Extent of Soviet control over these states and their use as a means of benefiting USSR is highlighted by these countries rapidly applied the principles in force in the USSR: collectivisation of land and nationalisations of companies.
An economic organisation, the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA), also called COMECON, was created in 1949: it put “satellite” countries at the service of the Soviet economy.
Disagree 1 was not a superpower
(Economy and agriculture)
(Focus on negative impact of WW2/GPW and the limitations of post-war reconstruction)
1) Start para by talking about how -ve impact of WW2 on economy and agriculture placed USSR in no position to call themselves a ‘superpower’ or world power.
2) Impacts of WW2:
WW2 had destroyed 1/4 of country’s resources and although industry had somewhat recovered, production of consumer goods and food was still lower in 1953 than it had been in late 1520s.
WW2/GPW destroyed:
1- Nearly 100,000 collective farms
2-137,000 tractors
3-49,000 combine harvestors
4-7 million horses
5-17 million cattle
6-20 million pigs
7-27 million sheep
8- Caused food production to drop to 60% of 1940 level
9-Severe labour shortages occurred as less land being cultivated (75% of 1940 level)
10-70,000 cities, towns and villages destroyed
11- GDP fell by around 34%
12- Economic impact: 1-Transpot disrupted
2- Work force exhausted
3- Mining production= 1/2 of 1940 level, electric production was 52% and steel production was 45% less than 1940 level.
Y3) Limitations of post-war recovery meant not in best position in terms of economy and agriculture, where as a nation deemed as a world power would be expected to be prosperous and improving Stats and examples to demonstrate above point. Talk about failure of 4th FYP Industry recovered at a decent rate 1- Coal: 1940- 165.9 tons 1945-149.3 tons 1950- 261.1 tons 2- Steel: 1940-18.3 tons 1945- 12.3 1950- 27.3 Less than 1913 levelof 29 tons 3- Electricity: 1940- 48.3 killowatts 1945- 43.2 1950- 91.2 Far lower than the level of 1926 under NEP: 3,508 killowats.
4) Limitation of ost-war recovery (agriculture)
Collectivisation had permanently crippled Soviet agriculture
Left USSR incapable of feeding itself. The issue was made worse by the harvets failure of 1946, which caused famine.Agricultural production worsened in many areas from before war due to impact of war:
1-Grain
1940-95.6 tons
1951- 78.7 tons
2- Potatoes
1940- 76.1 tons
1951- 58.7
3-Nevertheless some aspects had a small level of prosperity
1940- 2.2 tons of cotton increases to 3.8 by 1952.
4- No famines after 1947, however agriculture still in a bad way by 1953.
5- Stalin ignored these issues, therefore his successors had to go to great lengths and introduce reforms to try to end/ alleviate problems in agriculture.
Disagree 2 was not a superpower (Comecon vs Marshall Aid)
To do: Find figures on Marshall Aid and comprative figures on Comecon and find points to make on how limited the Eastern Bloc’s/Eastern Europe’s technilogical advancement)
1) Comecon, Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, was established in January 1949 to facilitate and coordinate the economic development of the eastern European countries belonging to the Soviet bloc. Nevertheless was a failure and a pale shadow of western organisations as it lacked the support of US Marshall Aid.
2) Becomes harder to argue that Stalin had transformed USSR when the economic poverty that blighted the Eastern bloc is taken into consideration and compared with the relative prosperity of Western Europe. Eastern situation embarrassed communist authorities.
3) US is regarded as other ‘superpower’ and therefore the Truman Doctrine in which the president asserted the US policy of ‘containment’ of spread of communism and the June 1947 Marshall Plan was viewed by Stalin as being fundamentally hostile Soviet interests therefore shows lack of collaboration and confidence of US to callout USSR. Wouldn’t have done so if US considered USSR as a ‘superpower’.
4) Marshall Plan vs Comecon:
1- Marshall plan introduced 3 April 1948. Offer of financial aid of around $13 billion to whole of Europe, but ultimately rejected by Stalin (Soviet Bloc made to follow in rejection) due to suspicion as was a vast change from the anti-Sov Truman Doctrine of 12 March 1947 which aimed to contain comm and prevent influence in non-sov nations.
2- Can be inferred that financial aid and benefit via the improving of trade and the modernisation of industry was not only aim of plan, but also wanted to hamper the spread of communism by improving financial situation of poor Eastern European states and thus removing their dependence on USSR. Therefore, in hindsight, it is apparent that Stalin’s rejection of the plan was a reasonable choice in order to maintain control over eastern Bloc and enhance status of ‘superpower’
3- Rejection of Marshall Plan not unanimous as Polish and Hungarian People’s Republic and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic expressed interest in aid, but all reluctantly rejected Marshall Plan after Stalin forbade them to go to the conference on the European Recovery Plan in Europe. Shows Stalin’s blanket of dominance of Bloc, however led to tension and opposition in these countries. Whilst Stalin’s desires was reasonable, execution left much to be desired and resulted in deteriation of relations with Western powers and Eastern Bloc.
4- comparison with Comecon:
-Marshall aid=$13 billion in aid in economic recovery plans to East
-The goals of the United States were to rebuild war-torn regions, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, improve European prosperity, and prevent the spread of communism.
-The Marshall Plan’s accounting reflects that aid accounted for about 3% of the combined national income of the recipient countries between 1948 and 1951
-Compare to the lack of prosperity in Eastern Bloc and how caused the satellite states to lack technological advancements which would be detrimental in the long-term.
-GREATEST COMPARITAVE WEAKNESS: Unlike Marshall Plan USSR only provided economic advice but not monetary aid to the member countries (Eg economic experiences, technical aid to and between member countries).
Soviet Union could not provide monetary aid as its own economy was still recovering.
Link: Suggests USA had a far greater level of influence than USSR and USSR was long-term dooming economies of Eastern European states.
Disagree 3 was not a superpower (use in same para as disagree 2 as both about limitations of the Soviet Bloc. Disagree 3 to being para and then continue to disagree 2)
1) Control of Eastern Bloc and relations with other communist nations were not always beneficial or straight forward
2) In June 1953 there was an uprising in East Germany from 16 to 17 June 1953. Workers strike against work quotas during the Sovietization process in East Germany, involving over one million people in about 700 localities. Protests against declining living standards and unpopular Sovietization policies led to a wave of strikes and protests.
Showed growing discontent and a potential lack of control over Eastern European territory.
-Nevertheless shouldn’t overstate the significance of this as the uprising was crushed by USSR and the events were always significantly downplayed in the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc states.
-Demonstrated a lack of popular support as well as a slipping of authority in certain states, something which can not be classifies as demonstrating a ‘superpower’ status.
3) Tito (Yugoslavia): Shows:
Lack of Soviet support or control in this area therefore hardly had the authority and threat of a ‘superpower’. Consequently Tito thrown out of Comintern and loss of control over Yugoslavia.
Tito-Stalin split in 1948 was arguably Stalin’s greatest political failure as, despite the minimal intervention by the Red Army in Tito’s liberation of Yugoslavia from the Axis powers in 1945, the country was regarded as Stalin’s most loyal ally among the communist states (bloc).
It can be stated that Tito’s expulsion from the Comintern was down to ideological reasons, however Tito’s version of socialism was no more anti-Marxist than that of Poland.
Was actually Stalin’s fear over Tito’s growing influence in Communist Greece (following outbreak of Civil war in 1946) and his capture of Istria that caused him to be expelled. This demonstrates a fear that Stalin still felt vulnerable and able to be threatened by other powers. In addition to this was a resounding failure as lost closest communist ally and Tito’s action viewed as act of patriotism and independence in Yugoslavia and west so undermined authority of USSR.
4) Now talk about Marshall Aid vs Comecon and the limitations of eastern Bloc with regard to lack of technological advancement in comparison to Western Powers.
(see this in disagree 2)
Disagree 4 was not a superpower due to implications of breakdown of East-Western relations
(Need to find points and analysis for such events so not just a para timeline)
1) Between 1946-49 tensions increased into hardened Cold War confrontation. Attempts at diplomatic cooperation broke down into growing mutual suspicions and hostility over a series of disagreements (example at Yalta, Moscow, Potsdam, etc).
2) West grew suspicious and were strongly opposed to Stalin’s Soviet expansion and his demand for the recognition of the USSR’s right to have a ‘buffer zone’ against future aggression and potential conflict.
3) The Long Telegram; a report sent to Washington from Moscow by American diplomat George Kennon in Feb 1946, urged US to take action to contain spread of communism and therefore shows growing hostility and hardening relations.
4) Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech at Fulton, Missouri in March 1946 spoke of ‘communist fifth columns’ in western and southern Europe and warned of growing division in Europe (eventually led to Cold War)
5) Berlin Blockade 1948-49 hardened divisions between USSR and Germany. Berlin was an island within Societ zone, however Stalin grew frustrated as believed Soviet aims and policies should be paramount there however control had slipped since 1945, hence demonstrating a certain vulnerability and lack of true control over areas of the Eastern bloc. West wouldn’t risk war and Stalin wouldn’t risk war by shooting allied planes out of sky.
Portrays lack of USSR might/power and control as population of Berlin proved able to resist Soviet inducements and pressure, and subsequently Stalin called off the blockade in May 1949 after 318 days.
Confirmed divisions with Berlin and Germany and wasyear Cold War became fully formed.
When did Stalin die
5 March 1953
How did historian Robert Service describe Stalin by early 1953
An ‘ailing despot’ as he was increasingly menacing and unpredictable, seemingly ready to force through another wave of terror and repression
What became clear after 1952 Party Congress
That Stalin planned to purge the ‘old guard’, with Molotov and Mikoyan being especially vulnerable, but also mounting pressure Beria. This atmosphere of fear was the context for the climactic political events arising from the circumstances of Stalin’s death on 5 March 1953.
How did Stalin die
Stalin finally passed away on 5 March 1953 after not emerging from his room after goung to his private cinema at the Kremlin and returning for a long drinking session with his inner circle until 4am on night of 28 Feb. Had a massive stroke in room and found unable to move or speak. No doctor called (all best doctors in Moscow had been purged and were in prison awaiting their execution) and took days to die.
Describe Stalin’s funeral
One last manifestation of the Stalin cult. His body was embalmed in an open coffin to be viewed by hystericall crowds. Was an explosion of national grief, accompanied by grovelling eulogies from the ruling elite.
Describe the political situation following Stalin’s death
Stalin had not nominated any successor and he had deliberately made it difficult for any potential contenders for the leadership. His death led to an intense power struggle from which Nikita Khrushchev emerged the new Soviet leader.
Why was Stalin’s legacy problematic
Production of consumer goods had been underfunded and agriculture was failing to keep pace with industrial development. Also issues with relations with West and the violence and repression within the USSR. Change would be all the more difficult given the ‘cult’ which decreed that all Stalin had done was so perfect that it could not possibly need changing.
