Foreign relations

Question 1

What did Stalin believe about ‘socialism in 1 country’

Answer 1

It was his main goal, and he concentrated his domestic affairs on improving Russia.
He understood that he may need some foreign allies so he wasn’t completely isolated, especially with China and Germany.

Question 2

Who were the CCP

Answer 2

The Chinese Communist Party that hoped to form a communist China and expected Stalins support.

Question 3

Who were the GMD?

Answer 3

A revolutionary nationalist movement called Guomindang.

Question 4

Who did Stalin support in China?

Answer 4

He supported the GMD because he believed that they would bring more stability to a key strategic area on Russia’s eastern borders.
He was also suspicious of the changes the CCP were making to the Marxist ideology.
Stalin wanted the CCP and GMD to join in an alliance.

Question 5

What happened in China in March 1926?

Answer 5

The GMD massacred striking workers in Canton and established a military dictatorship

Question 6

What happened in China in April 1927?

Answer 6

They viciously suppressed a communist-led workers revolt in Shanghai and thousands of workers were killed

Question 7

What happened in China in 1927?

Answer 7

GMD massacred striking workers in Wuhan, with around 30,000 being killed

Question 8

What happened to Stalins concerns in Russia after the issues in China?

Answer 8

He wanted to stabilise Russia’s government so that the Chinese revolution doesn’t spread to Russia or other countries.

Question 9

Why does Stalin think is the reason for Chinas instability?

Answer 9

Because they wanted to change details of Marxist ideology that sent them on the wrong path

Question 10

What happened to Stalins reputation in Russia after the issues in China?

Answer 10

Trotsky and the Left deeply opposed and critisezed his actions, but they had no lasting affect as Stalins socialism in one country was so popular that most members supported him, and even Trotsky was taken out of the Comintern

Question 11

How were Germany and Russia’s relationship in the 1920’s?

Answer 11

It was quite good from the Treaty of Rapallo and was updated in the Treaty of Berlin

Question 12

When was the Treaty of Berlin signed?

Answer 12

1926

Question 13

What was article 1 of the Treaty of Berlin?

Answer 13

Re-stated the importance of the Rapallo treaty as the bases for friendly German-Soviet relations with regards to all political and economic questions affecting the new countries

Question 14

What was article 2 of the Treaty of Berlin?

Answer 14

If either country is attacked by a 3rd power the other one would remain neutral

Question 15

What was article 3 of the Treaty of Berlin?

Answer 15

Not to join in any economic boycott to the other country

Question 16

What was article 4 of the Treaty of Berlin?

Answer 16

It would be enforced for the next 5 years and would be updated with their future relations

Question 17

How did Russia impact economically from the Treaty of Berlin?

Answer 17

It received large financial credits from German banks and large financial credits

Question 18

What happened to German-Soviet relations in 1929?

Answer 18

Stresemann died, the world economic crisis started and Stalin had a different view of the Comintern.

Question 19

Why was the Comintern a low priority for Stalin in 1925 - 9?

Answer 19

He focused more in Socialism in one country.

Question 20

What happened at the 6th Comintern Congress in 1928?

Answer 20

Stalin talked about crushing the social democratic countries of Europe, calling them enemies to true Socialism, and wanted to prepare to fight them and purge the weak elements of the Russian Party.

Question 21

What was one of the reasons for the change in foreign policy in 1928 with Trotsky?

Answer 21

Trotsky and his supporters condemned Stalin for being hypocritical, because he supported Socialism in 1 country, but it could be argued that he was reverting back to true socialism by attacking other countries.

Question 22

What was one of the reasons for the change in foreign policy in 1928 with Bukharin?

Answer 22

Stalin may have wanted to pick a political fight with him

Question 23

What happened to Stalins control over foreign Communist parties with policies?

Answer 23

He had more control over them and had strict discipline imposed on them, such as in France, Germany and Italy.

Question 24

What happened to Stalins control over foreign Communist parties with spies?

Answer 24

He sent soviet agents to spy on foreign communists and then get back to him about what they were doing?

Question 25

Why did Stalin invite the worlds communist leaders to come to visit Russia?

Answer 25

He said that is was to sharpen communist ideology and unity, but in reality he just wanted to control them.