How successful was Soviet foreign policy in achieving its aims in the period 1917–1941? Flashcards
Intro:
Thesis: Soviet foreign policy between 1917 and 1941 was successful in achieving majority of its aims, although Russia’s web of international relations was often fraught with distrust and ideological hostility, partly due to the ever-changing nature of Soviet motives in their foreign policy.
BP1) 1917 - 1930
Normalisation of relations - (making alliance with non-communist nations)
Achieving world revolution or leaving the war Treaty of Brest Litovsk in order to give the Bolshevik regime a chance at survival. Bukharin vs Lenin in this debate -> “Lenin’s decision to sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was driven by pragmatic considerations aimed at ensuring the survival of the Bolshevik regime”
Normalisation of relations in the 1920’s. The Treaty of Rapallo with Germany broke its diplomatic isolation after the civil war. 1922. historian E.H. Carr affirms this,writing: “It (Rapallo) secured for the Soviet Union its first official recognition by a great power.”
Meanwhile, the Comintern continues the aim of world revolution in Germany and Hungary. Russia is both cooperating with and undermining foreign governments at the same time.
Supporting the fledgling CCP in China -> comintern supporting world revolution.
Consequently, by the end of the 1920’s, the Soviet Union’s foreign policy had met its aim of having the Bolshevik government recognised, however with continued efforts to propagate World Revolution, it was yet to be respected.
BP2) 1930
With the 1930’s came a new era in Soviet history as well as a distinct change in the nation’s foreign policy aims.
Stalin’s socialism in one country (captures the national mood) beats Trotsky’s permanent revolution during the power struggle -> “marked a shift from the revolutionary zeal of earlier Bolshevik ideology” Robert Service in which highlights a retreat from international revolution and a focus on industrialisation and strengthening of the USSR into a strong, self sufficient state.
Pragmatism: Ideological step backwards with the NEP following war communism. This was a domestic policy that fostered economic recovery. At the same time, began relationships European capitalist countries such as fascist Italy. The Modernization program required selling grain to western countries to provide the capital to support industrialisation, in which in 1932 would sell approx 4.5 million tons of wheat to the West.
Early 1933’s. Stalin orders the Comintern to stop working with other governments in the hope that capitalism will collapse with the Great depression.
BP3) Late 1930’s protection from the Nazis through foreign policy
RISE OF THE NAZI’s
Late 1930’s. Stalin orders the Comintern to make moderate socialists and communist parties of Europe to form popular front governments against fascism -> The USSR has joined the fight against Nazi Germany.
Evident, through Stalin strongly backed the republic anti-fascist forces in the Spanish Civil war, through providing military aid + advisors in order to counterbalance facisicm (Germany used their bombers in Spain)
Treaty of friendship with Italy, re-joining the League of Nations in 1934, USSR-France alliance (popular front) – all intended to help make a stand against Germany that directly threatened the USSR with its plans for lebensraum in the East.
23th August 1939: Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression pact, gave Stalin time to rebuild the red army after the purges and prepare for war with Germany. Australian historian Ken Webb explains: “The view from Moscow was that the Western powers were driving Hitler eastwards and hoping for a struggle between fascism and communism in which each would destroy the other.”
This final foreign policy action before Russia’s entry into the second world war proved Stalin’s continued focus on national self-interest and his ability to rapidly change sides in order to protect Russia from external opposition. However, due to his prior foreign policy, the USSR became industrialised although wasn’t able to prevent Nazi Germany from invading the USSR in 1941.
