Soviet Foreign Policy in the 1930s Flashcards
What was the Soviets searching for in this period?
Collective security
Why did the Soviets want collective security and what did it entail?
Wanted mutual safety from France and Britain so that Russia could isolate Germany
When Hitler first came to power how did Stalin view it?
He thought it might be business as usual as he saw fascism as capitalism
Who was Maxim Litvinov?
The public face of Soviet diplomacy.
A longstanding Russian revolutionary
A man with western orientation - spoke different languages and married to a British woman
Pro-western and committed to collective security
What happened between 1932-34?
The Geneva Disarmament Conference (an international forum meant to prevent wars. Sincerity? - lots of resources used + during period of LoN
What happened in September 1934 regarding the League of Nations?
Russia refused to join
What advancements were made in terms of foreign policy in 1935?
Franco-Soviet Pact and Mutual Assistance Pact with Czechoslovakia - France equally as scared of Germany as Soviets. Czechoslovakia also scared of Germany (e.g. what happens several years later)
Finally join LoN - signs of soncerity
What were the weaknesses of the progression made in 1935?
They were only Mutual Assistance Pacts when they wanted collective security.
Plus, the French one is doomed as they would not be allowed to cross Poland in order to help each other
What was established in 1935 by the Soviets in regards to combating fascism?
The ‘Popular Front’ - Comintern now agrees to work with anyone anti-fascist, political parties, groups, social groups etc. To establish a popular front against the fascists. Seen as a sign of genuine desire for peace with West?
Was it a signal to the west that they were serious, the Comintern was different now?
What happened in 1936 and how did the Soviets react to it?
The Spanish Civil War - Force an arms embargo on Spain - believing everyone should keep out and let them fight it out. Italians and Germans ignore it. Germans used it as a testing ground for European wars to follow.
Stalin was always suspicious of revolutionist movements he wasn’t in control of.
What marks the decline of collective security? (4)
- Austria votes to become part of Greater Germany - Western powers do nothing, Stalin is angered by this
- Sept 1938 - Munich Conference – Soviets and Czechs not invited - to discuss Hitler. Both v bitter about it.
- March 1939 - German invasion of Czechoslovakia
- May 1939 - Molotov replaces Litvinov as Foreign Commissar - signals Stalin ending the pursuit of Collective Security with West
What significant event happened on the 23 August 1939?
The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact was signed between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia which surprised the world as it was between 2 large enemies. And while it wasn’t an alliance, the ‘Secret Protocol’ dictated the division of Eastern Europe into spheres of influence
What Soviet territorial gains were made between 1939-40 and what was Stalin’s motivation behind them?
- Division of Poland, 1939
- Winter War with Finland 1939-40 (secure Leningrad and Murmansk)
- Baltic states annexed, 1940
- Bessarabia (Moldova), 1940
- Territorial and security demands with Turkey – all kept secret. Would turn a blind eye if the other invaded these areas
Is Stalin reclaiming land he feels is rightly his, or just tactically important areas?
What highlights the failure of collective security?
Munich Conference destroyed any hopes of common anti-Nazi front
Why might Stalin have made a treaty with Germany? (3)
- USSR had no allies + there was the danger of simultaneous war with Japan & Germany
- Gaining time to rebuild Red Army after Terror
- Soviet expansionism?
