Stalin's Foreign Policies

Question 1

3 Aims

Answer 1

1. “Socialism in 1 country”
2. Establish collective security through diplomatic agreements
3. Modernize and industrialize

Question 2

Phase 1: Search for Collective Security

Answer 2

• Hitler and Manchuria (Japan) moves USSR to good relations with the West
• 1923-32, non-aggression pacts w/ It, Fr, Pol
• 1939, joins LoN
  -1935, defensive alliances w/ Fr, Cz, largely symbolic
• 1936, supports Republicans in the Spanish Civil War, cautious offered little

Question 3

Propaganda

Answer 3

• Plays a key role in all of Soviet life
• Promotes policies, cult of Stalin

Question 4

PSQ

Answer 4

“We are 50 or 100 years behind advanced countries. We must make up this gap in 10 years. Either we do it or they will crush us.” Stalin

Question 5

Phase 2: The West or Fascism?

Answer 5

• 1938, GB and Fr don’t include USSR in Munich conference, Stalin suspicious
• West appeasement of Hitler increase concerns of sacrificing East Europe to Hitler
  -1939, Hitler invades Cz. USSR, Fr, GB form alliance, doesn’t result in much

Question 6

Phase 3: Collective Security With Germany

Answer 6

• 1939, Non-aggression pact w, Germany (Molotov, Ribentropp)
• Peaceful relations for 10 years, secretly split Pol, extend influence into Baltics
• Anti-Cominternpact (Ge, It, Jp), Stalin fears war on 2-fronts
• Hoped west and Hitler would exhaust themselves and leave USSR protected.

Question 7

Successes of East Poland Invasion

Answer 7

• Non-aggression pact saw some stability in USSR, but failed in the long-term
• Nazi-Soviet pact allowed Stalin to industrialize and re-arm.
• Soviets defeat Nazis in WW2
• Recovered buffer-zone territory lost in berest litovsk

Question 8

Failure of East Poland Invasion

Answer 8

• Failed to secure agreement w/ Western Powers
• Stalin sought insurance from Germany
• Nazi-Soviet pact started WW2
• Hitler thought West wouldn’t intervene due to alliance w/ USSR

Question 9

1941: Great Patriotic War Victory

Answer 9

• Highly centralized economy, not hard to adjust to war economy
• Retreat or defeat wasn’t an option
• Used propaganda, reinstated Orthodox church
• Ideological war to save communism presented as war to save mother Russia

Question 10

Mistakes of Germans in Great Patriotic War

Answer 10

• Gendercide, seen as saviours before killing boys and men
• Approx. 2m soviets fought for the Nazis
• Death toll increased due to extermination policies

Question 11

How did USSR win?

Answer 11

• ‘General Winter’ aided in the victory
• Size of Russia, factories could be moved East
• External help. US land lease, Britains Royal Navy
• Stalingrad, German defeat in north Africa