120 likes | 292 Views
Soviet Foreign Policy to 1939. Ms Leslie History 12. 1920’s. Tried to get better trade relations in the 1922 Genoa Conference – failed Rapallo – Germany and USSR make a trade pact. With secret military provisions. Also successful in making agreements with Turkey and China
E N D
Soviet Foreign Policy to 1939 Ms Leslie History 12
1920’s • Tried to get better trade relations in the 1922 Genoa Conference – failed • Rapallo – Germany and USSR make a trade pact. With secret military provisions. • Also successful in making agreements with Turkey and China • Comintern– press for worldwide revolutions
Comintern Policy • United Front Tactics – co-operate with local communists to over throw capitalism • 1922 – ‘socialism in one country’ • Socialists = ‘Social fascists’ and now the enemy as they don’t want a full fledged revolution • Help the German KPD who were sided with Hitler – thought Hitler would bring a communist revolution because the public would revolt against him.
Soviet Foreign Policy • In 1934 a turn around began in Soviet Policy. • Russia joined the League of Nations and Foreign Minister Maxim Litvinov suggested World Disarmament. • Stalin clearly abandons isolationism. • During the 1930’s the USSR called for collective security action against the Fascist and the Japanese.
U.S. recognition was also granted in 1934 • The USSR hoped to involve the US as a counter to Japan
The Popular Front in France • 1934 the French Communist Party was still co-operating with the Far Right, as they had done in Germany earlier. • they turned completely around and began working with the Socialist trade unions against the Far Right. • In November, the formation of a Popular Front Government with the Socialists was proposed.
May 1935, a Franco-Soviet Pact was signed, providing for mutual support if a 3rd party attacked either. • the same month a Czechoslovak-Soviet Pact was also signed
1935, the Comintern also adopted the idea of the Popular Front, a Willingness to co-operate with any group, Rightist or Leftist, which resisted the Fascists of the Japanese Militarists. • Successes occurred with Popular Front governments elected in France, Spain and Chile
1936 sent help to Spain • Republican Spain was increasingly split by a Communist-Socialist internal struggle, at the same time as the Fascists where expanding their Control. • In November 1938 Stalin decided to cut his losses. • Aid ceased and the International Brigade was withdrawn.
the Soviet Union did gain propaganda success • Anti-Fascists everywhere noted Soviet involvement and the non-involvement of other nations in defending the legitimately elected legal government of Spain.
The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact • In 1938, the USSR pledged to support Czechoslovakia against German aggression, Only if France promises to do the same. • Czechoslovakia decided not to accept USSR help – Germany promptly takes land • USSR sees that you can’t work with the West so they go to the Nazis
On August 23, 1939 a Non Aggression Pact was signed. • Increased trade • Neither side would attack the other • USSR to get Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Eastern Poland • Germany to get everything West of the above.