How important were Anglo-Russian relations? Flashcards
What had the Western powers feared?
That the USSR wanted to invade/destabilise western Europe
That a third world war was imminent
What did Stalin’s death in 1953 do?
Raised hopes that relations might improve
What did Khrushchev want and how was this shown?
A policy of ‘peaceful co-existence with the West’: he wanted to avoid war but to continue cooperation with the West for influence around the world
What happened in October 1955, 1956, and 1959?
1955: British and Russian navies exchanged goodwill visits
1956: Khrushchev visited Britain
1959: Macmillan visited Moscow
What did this not fundamentally change?
The mutual hostility between Britain and the USSR
Throughout the Cold War, what did Britain and Russia do and why?
Accuse each other of imperialism
The USSR started bidding for the support of ex colonies
The West regarded the states of eastern Europe as part of a Soviet empire
What did Russia do as Britain withdrew from its colonial empire?
Regarded Britain as less important and concentrate their attention on the US
Why did Britain and the USSR continue to regard each other as enemies?
Each side was involved in espionage - in September 1971 Britain expelled 105 Soviet diplomats accused of spying
The build-up of Soviet forces after the Cuban missile crisis
What was Thatcher’s relationship like with the USSR?
Made no secret of her anti-communism and was determined to retain Europe’s nuclear defences
What did Thatcher do in 1984?
Said that she liked Gorbachev and that ‘we can do business together’
Visited Moscow and hosted a return visit, which calmed concerns about the US and the SDI initiative
What did the collapse of the USSR bring about and what was Yeltsin grateful for?
An entirely new Anglo-Russian relationship
The immediate diplomatic support he had received from Britain when Soviet hardliners had tried to seize power in 1991
What had British efforts during the 1990s helped to do?
Pave the way for Russia to join the club of the world’s leading industrialised nations
What happened in November 1992?
Yeltsin visited Britain to sign a set of wide-ranging agreements on trade and military cooperation
He thanked Major for his profound understanding of Russia and its reform
What did Russia and Britain agree to do and what did Major offer?
Cooperate in handling surplus Soviet weapons and safeguarding nuclear materials
To send officials from the MoD to the Russian MoD to advise on the restructuring, control, and financing of armed forces
What did London become?
An attractive place for Russian businessmen - who had become rich by taking advantage of the liberalisation of the economy - to live and invest in
