Foreign relations Lenin Flashcards
Motives for intervention in war
Keep Russia fighting, protect allied armaments shipped to Russia, anti-Bolshevism, divided thinking.
Examples of divisions and muddled thinking in intervention
US withdrew troops from North 1919 because unsure of purpose, France had policy differences with Britain, unsure which leaders to support, socialists and trade unionists in Britain wanted a ‘hands off Russia’ approach, contradictory policy of ‘no interference’ but aiding white armies ‘when possible’.
Intervention in North
British and French, Australian Canadian and Italian at Archangel, 11 000 Estonian in war of independence.
Intervention in Far East
11 000 US at Vladivostok, 2000 Chinese and substantial Japanese forces.
Intervention in South
French and British naval forces, Turkish in Caucasus.
Intervention in Central Siberia
Parts of railway controlled by Czech Legion.
Spies in Russia
Three American Journalists like John Reed, British spies like Arthur Ransome (who had left wing sympathies), reports often misleading.
Possible peace in civil war
In 1919 American mission briefly raised hopes for compromise peace, Lenin was worried about blockades offered concessions such as some anti-bolshevik governments in parts of Russia but Britain and France refused.
Comintern first meeting
Success in war trigger founding of the Third Communist International as international socialist organisation, first held in Moscow 1919, more than 50 delegates, Zinoviev early chairman, belief that Germany was ready for revolution and soviet style republics in Hungary and Bavaria.
Comintern second meeting
Petrograd in 1920, during Russo-Polish war, dominated by debates over 21 conditions Lenin set out for relations between communists and ‘bourgeois-democratic’ socialist parties, some broke away as a result.
Comintern third meeting
Summer of 1921 realisation that world revolution was not close, so comintern became totally Russian dominated, important symbol but force behind it slackened.
Post war peace conferences from Allies
Treaties designed to punish the losers, Russia not represented so Poland not dealt with properly, but Germany (Versailles) Austria (St Germain) Bulgaria Hungary etc. all have own treaty.
Development of Russo-Polish war
Pilsudski made alliance with Ukrainian leader in 1920, launch offensive towards Kiev and it was occupied May 1920, Red army countered and forced out, rapid retreat but last offensive August 1920 lead to Miracle on the Vistula, Warsaw saved and Treaty of Riga agree peace terms in Treaty of Riga March 1921.
Person behind Zinoviev letter
‘Ace of Spies’ Sidney Reilly who was very anti-Bolshevik and wanted to turn opinion against Labour party.
Actual consequences of the Zinoviev letter
Labour party not really affected but hurt relations between two countries, strengthening Russian diplomatic isolation.
