Foreighn Policy under Stalin Flashcards
What was Stalin’s foreign policy based upon?
His belief of ‘Socialism in One Country’
What was the main belief of ‘Socialism in One Country’?
The defence of the Soviet Union came before anything else
What prevented Stalin from understanding the threat posed by Nazi Germany?
Stalin’s defensiveness
What were the key developments in Russo German relations before WW2? (3)
- Nazi attacks on the KPD
- Signing of the German-Polish treaty in 1934 (increasing the threat to the USSR’s western border)
- Nazi propaganda against the USSR - similar to the anti-semitism
What was the sole priority of the USSR?
Nullifying Nazi threat
What is the result of the Munich settlement in August 1939?
Both sides agree to the:
- Nazi-Soviet Pact
- Secret Additional Protocol
What was the agreement of the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
They pledged to maintain peaceful relations with one another
What was the agreement of the ‘Secret Additional Protocol’?
USSR would take over the Baltic states and Poland would be divided between Germany and USSR
Why was Stalin forced into the Munich settlement?
As he didn’t get defensive support from British or French
In 1941 what does Hitler do and what does it lead to?
Hitler tore up the treaty leading to war with the USSR
What does Russia do in 1934?
Russia joins the league of nations
What does the league of nations allow for Russia?
It allows Russia to support collective security in international affairs
What does Russia do in 1935?
Russia sign a deal with France and Czechoslovakia
What does the Russian deal with France and Czechoslovakia allow for Russia?
It provides ‘mutual assistance’ after a military attack
What limited the Russian deal with France and Czechoslovakia?
France and Britain’s unwillingness to start a war over the principle
What happens in 1935 regarding communsim and China?
China in a civil war with the Communist CCP against the nationaloist GMD
Who represnted the Communists?
Mao Zedong
Who represnted the nationalists?
Chiang Kai-shek
Who did Stalin choose to support in the Chinese civil war?
Stalin chose to support GMD
Why does Stalin support the GMD? (2)
- He wanted the CCP to have a Marxist revolution
- Stalin wanted the Chinese to resist Japan expansion so that the Japanese wouldn’t attack
How would Stalin describe the CCP?
As “white” at heart, despite wearing “red” jackets
Why did Stalin want the Chinese to resist Japan expansion?
So that the Japanese wouldn’t attack Russia fearing they would exploit Russia’s focus on its European borders
What does Russia sign with Japan in 1941?
A non-aggression pact
What is signed in 1936 between Japan and Germany?
The Anti Comintern pact
