The USSR's foreign relations in the 1920s Flashcards
Why was the USSR not invited to the Paris Peace Conference?
They signed the Treaty of Brest Litovsk which was seen as a betrayal by the allies.
Which treaty did the USSR sign ending its involvement in WW1?
The Treaty of Brest Litovsk
In which year was the Treaty of Brest Litovsk signed?
1918
What kind of economic system did the USSR have?
Communism
When did the Genoa Conference happen?
1922
What were the 2 main aims of the Genoa Conference?
- To resolve the issue of German reparations. 2. To re-establish relations between Russia and other world powers.
What did France demand from the USSR at the Genoa Conference leading to its failure?
France demanded repayment of money it had loaned to the Tsarist government.
Why did the USSR refuse to pay France for the Tsar’s war debt at the Genoa Conference?
The Bolshevik government did not believe it inherited the Tsar’s debt.
Who was the leader of the USSR in 1922 when the Genoa Conference happened?
Vladimir Lenin
When did Vladimir Lenin die?
1924
Who took control of the USSR after Vladimir Lenin’s death?
Joseph Stalin
Did the Genoa Conference succeed or fail to achieve its aims?
Failed
Why were European countries afraid of the USSR?
They believed that Communism would spread to their own countries from the USSR.
Why did countries think that Communism was expansionist?
The Spartacist Uprsings in Germany convinced many that Communist could easily spread to other countries.
What does the word “expansionist” mean?
A policy of territorial or economic expansion.
When did the Spartacist uprising happen in Germany?
1919
When did the Russian revolution happen?
1917
Why did Russia leave WW1 early? (two reasons)
- Russia was undergoing a socialist revolution. 2. Russia could not afford to be in the war.
What was the Zinoviev letter?
A forged document published and sensationalised by the British Daily Mail newspaper.
When was the Zinoviev letter published?
1924
Why is the Zinoviev letter important? (2 reasons)
- Swayed British public opinion against the USSR. 2. Impacted the results of the 1924 British elections.
Which anti-USSR politician won the British election of 1924?
Stanley Baldwin
Who was Stanley Baldwin?
British Prime Minister
In which year did Britain break off relations with the USSR?
1927
What is the name for the international communist organisation in the 1920s and 1930s?
The Comintern
Concerns over the role and objectives of which organisation created suspicions of the USSR in the other countries?
The Comintern
Who controlled the Comintern?
The USSR
When was the Anglo-Soviet Trade agreement signed?
1921
What was the purpose of the Anglo-Soviet Trade agreement?
To facilitate trade between Britain and the USSR
When is the Rapallo Pact signed?
1922
What agreement is secretly signed by the USSR and Germany at the Genoa Conference?
The Rapallo Pact
What do Germany and the USSR agree to in the Rapallo Pact?
Russia and Germany agreed to renounce all territorial claims against each other and agreed on mutual friendship.
The Rapallo Pact led to what?
German-Soviet military excercises
How did the Rapallo Pact worsen relations with France?
France feared a USSR/Germany alliance would be a threat to French safety in the region.
When was the Anglo-Soviet Treaty signed?
1924 (before Stanley Baldwin comes into power)
What was agreed to in the Anglo-Soviet Treaty signed?
Britain recognised the USSR as a state.
Which British political party was responsible for the Anglo-Soviet Treaty?
The Labour Party
When was the Treaty of Berlin created?
1926
What did the Treaty of Berlin ensure?
It renewed the Rapallo Pact
Why were relations between Britain and the USSR renewed in 1929?
The Labour party came back into power and wanted to establish permanent relations with the USSR.
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? The Anglo Soviet Treaty
Success
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? The Anglo-Soviet trade agreement
Success
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? The Rapallo Pact
Success
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? Foreign fear of the Comintern
Failure
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? Stanly Baldwin winning the British election
Failure
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? The Zinoviev Letter
Failure
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? The Spartacist Uprsings in Germany
Failure
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? The Genoa Conference
Failure
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? The signing of Brest Litovsk.
Failure
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? The Treaty of Berlin
Success
Was the following a success or a failure for the USSR in trying to create good relations with other countries? The British Labour Party winning the election of 1929
Success