Lenin Foreign Policy complete Flashcards
Was the Treaty of Brest Litovsk more of a success or failure?
It was a success as it pulled Russia out of the war
It was a failure because the conditions were costly and Russia’s former allies felt betrayed by the peace negotiations with Germany - became hostile
In the Civil War where was the foreign intervention stationed?
Widespread areas such as the Baltic sea, Black sea and far east
Limitation of foreign intervention?
Number of troops engaged was small They did little direct fighting as they remained at their bases and only fought minor skirmishes
Main reason for foreign intervention?
Keep Russia fighting in the WW1- this would delay the mass transfer of German forces from the east to the west
Lesser motives for foreign intervention?
Protect vast dumps of armaments and war materials that had been shipped to Russia during WW1 and they did not want the Bolsheviks to have control of this
What caused the change of motive for foreign intervention?
The German armistice in 1918- the motive was now to combat Bolshevism
Why could the motives for foreign intervention be described as confused?
None of the allies wanted to fight a major war, there was little coordination between foreign allies and there was an uncertainty over which anti-Bolshevik leaders to support- muddled thinking
Which country was reluctant to intervene?
America
France was also divided when regarding public opinion
Which country provided the most intervention?
American- 11,000 troops at Vladivostok
4500 in North Russia- Pulled out June 1919
British foreign intervention?
British forces attacked at Murmansk, navy also blockaded trade to Russia through the Baltic sea
Occupied Baku- much of where Russia’s oil supply came from
France intervention?
Blockaded trade through Black and Caspian sea
Conflicts in Britain regarding intervention?
Politicians wanted maximum effort to smash Bolshevism while socialists and trade unionists strongly opposed intervention- policy was agreed as ‘no intervention just aid white armies when possible’
What was Lenin’s peace offering 1919/
Wilson sent US diplomat Bullitt on a secret mission to discuss peace. Lenin was worried about anti-Bolshevik victories and the impact of the Blockade of trade therefore he was prepared to tolerate the continuation of temporary anti Bolshevik governments in parts of Russia
Outcome of 1919 peace offering?
Lapsed
Britain and France were hostile regarding peace
Wilson did not back Bullitt
What secured Bolshevik survival against foreign intervention?
Military successes of the Red Army under Trotsky
Dis-organisation and internal feuds among the anti Bolsheviks
Success of foreign intervention?
Initially foreign support allowed for the whites to achieve initial advances
Positive outcome for Russia after intervention?
British cabinet agreed to negotiate a trade agreement with Bolshevik Russia accepting the recognition of the Soviet State
What was the Comintern?
International socialist organisation promoting Marxism and spreading a ‘Proletariat revolution’
Why did the Comintern increase the international recognition of Russia?
Although not all those invited were willing or able to intend, 50 delegates from all over Europe, America, Australia and Japan attended
Who was the chairman of the Comintern?
Zinoviev- dominating influence was still Lenin
Attitude as a result of Comintern?
Great optimism about the prospects of the spread of a revolution
What was the Spartacus uprising?
Although Germany was believed to be ripe for revolution, communist revolutionaries in Germany were brutally crushed by armed German militias in Jan 1919
What was the focus of the 1st Comintern?
Lenin promoted the Soviet system as the best way of spreading Marxism
When did the Second Comintern take place?
July 1920- during Russo-Polish war
What was the focus of the Second Comintern?
Lenin’s 21 conditions- this defined the relationship between communist parties and bourgeois socialist parties
They were requirements that needed to be met in order to become a member
Outlook of delegates after Second Comintern?
Mixed
Some parties broke away from the Comintern because of the 21 conditions
Bolshevik victory in the Civil War looked certain
Realisation at 3rd Comintern?
World revolution was not as close as thought- regimes and risings had been crushed
Bolshevik Russia was left alone in a capitalist world
Situation in Germany after 3rd Comintern?
Ruled by bourgeois democratic Weimar Republic
When did the last Allied intervention pull out of Russia?
May 1920
What was one of the major Allied commitments regarding post war settlement?
Independent Poland
Where was Russia not represented at?
Paris Peace Conference which discussed the terms of the Treaty of Versailles which included Poland- also LON
What did Lenin and the Bolsheviks see Poland as?
Geographical bridge for Communist to expand to the West
Who did Poland ally with to launch an offensive against Russia?
Ukraine
Poland’s launch of offensive?
Launched an eastern offensive towards Kiev- rapid success as Kiev was occupied May 1920
Significance of time of Poland’s offensive?
Had it been in 1919 when Bolsheviks were on the defence due to the Civil War it may have had a major impact but seen as it was 1920 the Bolsheviks had a confidence and truly believed they could spread the revolution
Response of Russia to Poland’s offensive/
Red Army launched a counter attack where overstretched Polish forces crumbled and abandoned Kiev and made a humiliating retreat back to Warsaw
What was the Miracle on the Vistula?
At the point where Poland looked like they would suffer a catastrophic defeat they mounted a desperate defence of Warsaw in which Warsaw was saved
Outcome of Russo-Polish War?
Settled into a stalemate
Peace was agreed in October 1920 under the Treaty of Riga in March 1921
Why was their tensions between Russia and Poland- cause?
Both were not happy about the border arrangements post war and both looked to expand their terroritory
When did first conflicts occur between Russia and Poland?
February 1919
Russia start to gain international recognition and reconciliation?
British government 1920 recognised the existence of the Soviet state and authorised making trade treaties
Lenin was interested in opening trade talks with Germany
1922- Chicherin was invited to the international economic conference in Genoa - reintegrated Soviet into international affairs
Who was Chicherin?
Deputy Commissar for foreign affairs
Treaty of Rapallo terms?
Article 1 and 2- compensation arising from WW1
Article 3- Concerned the opening of formal diplomatic relations
Article 4 and 5 - dealt with ‘mutual goodwill’ in commercial and economic relations
Secret treaty 1922?
Allowed Germans to carry out training and military exercises inside the USSR
What was significant about the Zinoviev letter?
It was a forgery
Who was the Z letter written by?
Ace of Spies- right wing views- people who had been in Russia during the revolution and civil war
Purpose of Z letter?
Influence public opinion against the Labour party in the run up to the 1924 General election
Nature of argument?
Was consistent with what Zinoviev actually believed
Impact of Z letter?
More impact in Britain but still relatively small
Labour vote was not undermined
Soured diplomatic relations between Britain and Russia- most significant repercussion
Strengthened Russia’s isolation
What was it suggested that the Z letter said?
Called for trade deals and also said it was time to organise a revolution in Britain- people would not vote for labour because they were taking orders from Soviets
