Stalin Foreign Policy Flashcards
When was Molotov appointed as Foreign Minister?
May 3rd 1939
Who was the Foreign Commissar from April 1918 - July 1930?
What did he believe?
Chicherin
Anti-British and pro-German. Agreed with Lenin on peaceful coexistence to achieve an ununited West.
Who was the Foreign Commissar from July 1930-May 1939?
What did he believe?
Litvinov
Prevent all wars and build good relations via collective security
Pro British anti-German
Name 5 factors of foreign policy for Russia
Security - fear of invasion
Economic Backwardness
Background of Policy makers
Attitudes of other countries - French and british reluctance to act against Hitler
Ideology-Marxism encouraged world revolution
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TIMELINE
When did the Soviet enter the league of nations?
September 1934
What agreement was signed with Germany on March 1934?
Trade Agreement
When did USA give Russia official recognition?
1933
When were mutualistic assistance pacts signed between Russia , France and Czechoslovakia
May 1935
Describe Stalin’s foreign policy in the 1930s
Complicated and Contradictory
When was an American embassy set up in Moscow?
1933
Name the advantage 2 the US when the embassy was set up in 1933
no longer had to rely on information from the Riga Watchers
Describe how Litvinov was established as a commissar by 1930s
Long experience in the West with a British wife, and visited Washington in Nov 33
Why did Russia and the US want to form good relations?
They shared a fear of Germany and Japan
What did Stalin encourage in the COmintern from 1928
To back the popular fronts
When was the non aggression pact signed with Poland?
Dec 1932
made into 10 year agreement in 1934
Name the pact made between France and Russia and when
Franco-Soviet pact of mutual assistance
Negotiated in Dec 34, signed in May 35
What serious event occurred in March 1936?
Why was this serious?
Hitler occupied the Rhineland
Hitler ignored Versailles terms and was met with passive repondants
What did France propose in August 1936 in relation to Spain?
How did Russia respond?
non intervention
Agreed until Sept 1936 when he sent advisors troops/tanks/aircraft under Soviet command
What were the effects of Russia intervened Spain?
It prevented Madrid falling and engaged the Italian and german troops however his actions rose the suspicion of the western governments
How and why does Stalin’s approach change by 1938? Provide 4 reasons.
Received intelligence that Hitler planned to expand to Poland and Czechoslovakia in Nov 1937
In 1937 japan had launched war against China
France and British governments have proven to focus on appeasement rather than threats
March 1938 German forces invaded Austria and Anschluss imposed
Lack of invitation of the Munich conference in 1938 Sept
What was the Anti-Comintern pact?
Who was it between? When?
Pact by Japan and Germany in Nov ‘36 -later Italy to take action against the comintern Nov’37
When was the Munich Conference and who attended?
September 1938
Germany France Britain italy
Describe the Japanese threat in 1930
Japanese occupy Manchuria 1931
Invade China 1937
How long was the war between Japan and Russia ?
May-September 1939
Name the figures of Russian involvement in the Russo-Japan War.
What/when was the decisive battle called and how many japanese troops were killed here?
Involving 100k + troops 1000 tanks and aircrafts
Decisive Battle = August 1939
Khalkhin Gol where 75% of Japanese troops were killed
What was Stalin’s ultimate hope for foreign Policy?
Avoid a 2 front war with Germany and Japan, rather the war is between the fascists against democrats
When was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
23rd August 1939
Name the advantages of the Nazi-Soviet Pact for both countries?
German- free hand to invade Poland
and gain raw materials
Russia= breathing space/ Protection from Hitler, extra territorial gains eg Baltic State and East Poland
Name 2 miscalculations made by Stalin.
Rapid fall of France in 1940- he imagined it to be more drawn out
The nature of modern warfare and his trust of Hitler
When was the Winter War and who was it between?
When was the peace agreed?
When did it resume?
1939-1940
Finland and Russia
March 10- 10% of Finland 2 USSR
Continuation War 1941-1944
