Foreign Policy 1920s Flashcards
Stalin’s attitudes to foreign powers
Main aim to keep Russia safe while concentrating one domestic affairs to build ‘socialism in one country’
Had to take into account the Comintern which Stalin saw as a hangover from a failed attempt at permanent world revolution
Chief representatives were Chicherin and Litvinov who were polished diplomats with a moderate but reassuring image
China
CCP wanted a communist revolution in China and expected Stalin to support them but he didn’t as he didn’t see them as bringing stability
In responding to the events in China in 1925 to 1927 Stalin’s concern was for the stability of Russia
Gave GMD financial and military help and was pressured by politburo to except them into comintern
Stalins betrayal of CCP criticised by Trotsky and left opposition but policy of socialism in one country widely supported in party
Germany and the Treaty of Berlin
First breakthrough in normalising relations with USSR and wider world was Treaty of Rapallo 1922 with Weimar Germany
Treaty of Berlin 1926 was an amplification of Treaty of Rapallo and talked in general terms about ‘trustful cooperation between the German people and the people of the USSR’
Article 1- re-stated importance of Rapallo as basis of friendly relations
Article2- if either country was attacked by a third power the other would remain neutral
Article 3- joint promise to not join economic boycott
Article 4- treaty would remain in force for 5 years
Changes in Comintern
Between 1924 and 1929 Comintern had low priority for Stalin
1929 moving towards ‘Stalin revolution’
Sixth Comintern July 1928 Stalin put forward that capitalism was facing a crisis and the time was right for an attack on anti-communist social democratic parties in Europe
Stalin pushed comintern to purge weak elements and prepare for return to spread revolution