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SOVIET FOREIGN POLICY 1918-1941 (PART II)

SOVIET FOREIGN POLICY 1918-1941 (PART II). STALIN’S FOREIGN POLICY. Stalin continued the policy of isolationism with his “Socialism in One Country” Sought to promote peaceful relations with other countries Sought economic cooperation to aid his industrialization programmes.

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SOVIET FOREIGN POLICY 1918-1941 (PART II)

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  1. SOVIET FOREIGN POLICY1918-1941(PART II)

  2. STALIN’S FOREIGN POLICY • Stalin continued the policy of isolationism with his “Socialism in One Country” • Sought to promote peaceful relations with other countries • Sought economic cooperation to aid his industrialization programmes

  3. STALIN’S FOREIGN POLICY Two developments on its borders changed the direction of Soviet foreign policy : • In the west, Hitler came into power and rearmed Germany in preparation for conquest • In the east, Japan had launched attacks against Manchuria and China

  4. STALIN & NAZI GERMANY • Hitler and the Nazis came to power in 1933 • Stalin hoped that the countries could be on friendly terms despite Hitler’s hatred for communism An anti-Comintern Pact was signed in Nov 1936 between Germany and Japan (Italy joined in Nov 1937) to jointly fight against communism • He realised soon that Hitler was determined to make Germany a great power again • This would make Germany a threat to the USSR

  5. STALIN & NAZI GERMANY • Middle of 1930s : Stalin tried to improve relations with other countries Common Front Strategy • This was one way of getting support against Nazi Germany • Economically, it would help in his industrialization efforts • 1934 : USSR joined the League of Nations • 1935 : Stalin signed treaties with Czechoslovakia and France. Why?

  6. STALIN & NAZI GERMANY • Both were neighbours of Nazi Germany • Like Stalin, both were worried about the growth of Germany’s power • The treaties promised support for each other in the event of a clash with Germany

  7. STALIN & NAZI GERMANY • 1936 : Stalin sent support to the Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War • Hiller gave his support to the other side, the Nationalists, who were against democracy and communism • Stalin was afraid that Germany’s power would grow if the Nationalists won the civil war and gained control of Spain • After 3 years, the Republicans were defeated • USSR troops were withdrawn

  8. USSR’S RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE • Britain and France were obvious allied against Germany • Their leaders wanted to prevent Germany from gaining more lands and becoming too powerful • However, they were also opposed to communism • We saw earlier that they were wary of the USSR • Stalin was also suspicious of Britain and France. Why?

  9. USSR’S RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE • Britain and France had ignored Russia • 1935 : Britain and France signed the Stretsa declaration • opposed actions that endanger peace in Europe • aimed specifically at Hitler • Russia was not invited to sign • Major European powers gave in to Hitler’s demands on Czechoslovakia despite the Russian offer to send troops to help the Czechs. • At a meeting in Munich between them in 1938, Russia was not invited • Stalin felt that the European powers were deliberately pointing Hitler towards Russia.

  10. USSR’S RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE • Britain and France had ignored Russia • In 1935, Britain and France signed a declaration opposing actions that endanger peace in Europe, aimed specifically at Hitler. Russia was not invited. • Major European powers gave in to Hitler’s demands on Czechoslovakia despite the Russian offer to send troops to help the Czechs. At a meeting in Munich between them in 1938, Russia was not invited. • Stalin was also wary of them because of their Britain & France inaction • 1935 : Italy invaded Ethiopia – no resistance from European powers • 1936 : Germany occupied the Rhineland (an area ceded to France after WWI). Britain and France took no action • Stalin believed that Europe lacked the will to resist the new dictators Hitler and Mussolini

  11. USSR’S RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE • He did not trust them to keep their promises • They might not abide by their promises • USSR would be left to deal with Germany on its own in the end • He suspected that Britain and France would be happy if Germany invaded USSR. Why?

  12. USSR’S RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE • This would weaken communism • At the same time, it would divert Germany’s attention away from them • Discussions of a possible treaty with Britain and France did take place but got nowhere

  13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Information and image sources • Moreira J., World in Transition – Perspectives on Modern World History, Singapore : SNP Education Pte Ltd, 2000. • Kelly N. and Shuter J., As It Was Lived – A History of the Modern World, Singapore : Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd, 2000. • Lim S H, Tham Y P, Wang Z and Yeo L, Inroads – Modern World History, Singapore : Oxford University Press, 2000. • Tate N., A History of the Modern World, Singapore : Federal Publications, 1995.

  14. HITLER & COMMUNISM • The Communist Party in Germany attracted much support during the Great Depression • The Germans were fearful of what happened under communism in the USSR • They saw Hitler and the Nazi Party as the most likely saviour against communism • Hitler was staunchly anti-communist and persecuted the communists in Germany. Why? See Mein Kampf.

  15. HITLER & COMMUNISM • “Written” while he was in prison in 1923-24, Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”), it sets forth Hiltler’s political philosophy and his plan for German conquest. • Main beliefs of the Nazi movement • A Master Race : The German people were a superior race – the Aryans. Remain ‘racially pure’ and not inter-mix with other races • The Jews : Destroyers of culture. Liars and parasites. Hitler also hated blacks and gypsies. Born April 20, 1889, in Braunau-on-the-Inn, Austria Died on April 29, 1945 in Berlin, Germany

  16. HITLER & COMMUNISM • Conquest – Lebensraum : Germany needed living space. For Hitler, this was to be in the east. Hitler expected Germany to conquer Russian land and create living space for Germans. • Communism : He claimed that the Bolshevik Revolution in Germany was an attempt by the Jews to achieve world domination. Communists thus were to be treated as a hated enemy. Born April 20, 1889, in Braunau-on-the-Inn, Austria Died on April 29, 1945 in Berlin, Germany

  17. HITLER & COMMUNISM "And so I believe to-day that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator. In standing guard against the Jew I am defending the handiwork of the Lord."

  18. 1927 : Kellogg-Briand Pact pledging to maintain world peace Treaty between the United States and other Powers providing for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy. Signed at Paris, August 27, 1928. 1928 : Soviet Foreign Secretary, Litvinov, proposed at the League of Nations that all countries give up their weapons 1932 : Treaties of Friendship with Poland and France 1934 : Joined the League of Nations called for principle of ‘Collective Security’ – friendly should unite together to deter aggression

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