Stalin And International Relations 1929-1941

Question 1

What was Stalin’s foreign foreign policy like in the 1930s?

Answer 1

It is confusing and contradictory.

Frequently changed direction due to circumstances.

Question 2

When was cooperation between the USSR and Germany established?

Answer 2

1922 in the Treaty of Rappallo and then it was consolidated in 1926 Treaty of Berlin.

Question 3

What happened between Germany and USSR in the period 1929 and 1932?

Answer 3

Military collaboration.
Soviet Union benefitted from German technical expertise for modernising industry and armaments production.
Also acquired modern weapons.
In 1931 negotiated the continuation of Treaty of Berlin.

Question 4

When and why was the “Rappallo period” ended?

Answer 4

1934.
Stalin showed an interest in collective security.
Improved relations with Western countries.
Stalin still left the door open for a possible return to cooperation with Germany.

Question 5

When was diplomatic relations with the USA?

Answer 5

1933 and an American embassy was opened in Moscow.

Question 6

Why did USSR joining the League of Nations appeal to the Western powers?

Answer 6

Strengthened collective security against German and Japanese aggression.

Question 7

When did Germany and Japan withdraw from the League of Nations?

Answer 7

1933

Question 8

How did Stalin’s position in 1935 differ from 1928?

Answer 8

Stalin’s hard line stance of 1928 was scrapped and by 1935 Stalin was supportive of collective security.

Question 9

What was the Comitern’s new policy from 1935?

Answer 9

Supporting broad-based popular fronts in other countries.

Question 10

Which popular fronts did the USSR get involved in?

Answer 10

France in 1935.

Spanish Civil War in 1936.

Question 11

Which countries did Stalin sign non-aggression pacts with in 1932?

Answer 11

Poland.

France.

Question 12

What did the pact between USSR and Czechoslovakia do?

Answer 12

If Czechoslovakia were attacked by a third party the USSR would intervene but only if France did too.

Question 13

How did Stalin feel when Germany remilitarised the Rhineland?

Answer 13

He felt threatened and it set out the context of Stalin’s intervention in the Spanish Civil War.

Question 14

Who supported the right-winged rebels led by Franco in the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 14

Both fascist Germany and Italy.

Question 15

Which side did Stalin take in the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 15

Spanish government but France agreed not to intervene and this worried Stalin.

Question 16

How did Soviet intervention affect the Spanish Civil War?

5

Answer 16

It was large scale and rapidly implemented.
Hundreds of Soviet “advisors” were sent to Spain.
Backed by tanks, troops and aircraft.
Soviet propaganda went into overdrive with the anti-fascist crusade.
Soviet intervention stopped Madrid falling to the rebels.

Question 17

What happened in 1937 with the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 17

Intervention settled down and it was no longer about protecting the Republic as it was now about prolonging the war.

Question 18

How did the Spanish Civil War affect USSR relations with the West?

Answer 18

West were suspicious of Stalin’s actions throughout the Civil War.

Question 19

Where did Germany invade in March 1938?

Answer 19

Austria and this imposed the Anschluss.

Question 20

How did the League of Nations react to Germany breaking the Anschluss?

Answer 20

The League of Nations proved toothless and didn’t do anything as they adopted a policy of appeasement against Hitler.

Question 21

Why did USSR station a substantial military force on the Manchuria frontier?

Answer 21

In response to Japanese aggression - Manchuria occupation (1931), invasion of the rest of China (1937) and anti-Comintern pact with Germany.

Question 22

When was the Nazi-Soviet pact signed?

Answer 22

August 1939

Question 23

Why did Stalin sign the Nazi-Soviet pact?

Answer 23

So that USSR wouldn’t have to fight Japan and Germany at the same time and also to give USSR more time to prepare for war. As well as gaining territory in Poland and Baltic states.

Question 24

What did Germany get out the Nazi-Soviet pact?

Answer 24

So they had a free hand in Poland as well as getting raw materials from Russia.