Soviet Foreign Policy to 1939

1. Soviet Foreign Policy to 1939 Kevin J. Benoy

2. The 1920s • Immediately following the Bolshevik Revolution and during the Civil War, Lenin counted on similar uprisings elsewhere in the world. • They did not happen – so Lenin had to come up with a policy he had not considered.

3. The 1920s • While attempts to find acceptance at the 1922 Genoa Conference failed, there was immediate success in talks with the other black sheep of Europe, Germany, at Rapallo. • A trade pact was signed – along with a secret military agreement.

4. The 1920s • There was further success in talks with the new governments of MusfafaKemal in Turkey and Sun YatSen’s China

5. 1920s • While diplomats sought to peacefully break out from capitalist encirclement, the other arm of Soviet Foreign Policy – the Comintern (Communist International) continued to press for world-wide revolution.

6. The 1920s • In Britain and China, the call for revolution was played down as United Front tactics were adopted. • Communists were urged to cooperate with others – the Labour Party in Britain and the Kuomintang in China – against hostile capitalist elements. • There was little success, and by 1927, Stalin found the slogan “socialism in one country” indispensable because his foreign policy was in a shambles.

7. Comintern Policy Under Stalin • Just as Stalin controlled Soviet domestic policy, so too did he control that of the Comintern. • He forced the organization to adopt an uncompromising position against even social democrats – which the Comintern called “social fascists.” They were vilified even more than right wingers.

8. Comintern Under Stalin • In Germany the KPD (German Communist Party) was directed to join with the Nazis in attacking the Weimar Republic. • When, in 1933, the Social Democrats made one last attempt to woo KPD support against Hitler, the KPD replied: “the Nazi’s take power. Then in four weeks the whole working class will be united under the leadership of the Communist Party. They were fatally wrong. The KPD were the first party destroyed by the Nazis.

9. Soviet Foreign Policy Under Stalin • Stalin and Lenin sought to mobilize anti-Versailles powers against Britain and France – so even Hitler was regarded as a potential ally. • In 1934, after Hitler’s destruction of the KPD, a turn about took place.

10. Soviet Foreign Policy Under Stalin • In 1934, the USSR joined the League of Nations. • Foreign Minister Maxim Litvinov suggested World disarmament. • Stalin abandoned isolationism and called for collective security action against the fascists and the Japanese.

11. Soviet Foreign Policy Under Stalin • The USA recognized the USSR in 1934. • Both countries agreed to stop hostile propaganda against the other. • For the USA this was to stop communist agitation in Depression era America. • The Soviets hoped to use the USA to counter the Japanese in the Far East.

12. Soviet Foreign Policy Under Stalin • Even after Hitler dropped the Rapallo Agreement with the USSR, trade with Germany remained at earlier levels, not dropping until 1936. Soviet imports remained high to 1937. • Military cooperation continued to 1935. German staff at Tomka chemical weapons facility, USSR, 1928.

13. The Popular Front • However, as early as 1933, Litvinov began to distinguish between capitalist governments for the fist time. • On February 6, 1934, the French Communist Party was still cooperating with the Far Right. 6 days later 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.

14. The Popular Front • In May, 1935 a Franco-Soviet Pact was signed – providing mutual support if a 3rd party attacked either. • In the same month, a Czechoslovak-Soviet Pact was signed.

15. The Popular Front • In July and August of 1935, the Comintern also adopted the idea of the Popular Front. • They advocated cooperation with any group – rightist or leftist – to oppose Fascist or Japanese militarist aggression.

16. The Popular Front • Popular Front governments were elected in France, Spain and Chile. • However, cooperation between Socialists and Communists remained shaky and non-communists in all of these countries were deeply suspicious of the communists.

17. The Popular Front • In France, the government of Leon Blum lasted only a year. • French Conservatives and rightists sometimes used the slogan “Better Hitler than Leon Blum.”

18. The Popular Front • Worse still, in Spain, their Popular Front government faced armed insurrection from Franco’s right wing alliance. • Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Spain provided arms and men to the Nationalist rebels.

19. The Popular Front • The Spanish Civil War presented Stalin with a dilemma. • Should it intervene directly or abandon the Popular Front government? • In 1936, it decided to offer help to the Spanish Government.

20. The Popular Front • With the Fascists offering assistance, while the British and French insisted on non-intervention, the struggle favoured the Nationalists. • To make matters worse, Communists and Socialists struggled with each other within the Republican government.

21. The Popular Front • In November, 1938 Stalin decided to cut his losses. • Aid ceased. • The International Brigades (foreigners who signed up to fight against the fascists) were withdrawn.

22. The Popular Front • Though Spain was lost, the Soviets did score propaganda success through its involvement. • Anti-fascists everywhere noted that the USSR was the only government that was prepared to help the republicans • Communist support was never stronger in the West than during this time.

23. Appeasement • Stalin tried to get Western support against the Fascists, but with little success. • During the 1938 Sudeten crisis, Stalin offered to back up the Czechoslovakian government against a threatened German attack.

24. Appeasement • Britain and France agreed to discuss the future of Czechoslovakia with Germany and Italy in September, 1938. • Neither the Czechs nor the Soviets were invited. • Stalin drew the conclusion that the West could not be relied upon to resist Hitler.

25. Appeasement • When Hitler tore up his 1938 agreement and occupied the remainder of the Czech portion of Czechoslovakia in the Spring of 1939, Stalin again noted Western inaction.

26. Appeasement Ends • After March, 1939, British attitudes shifted. • Britain and France opened up talks with the Soviets, hoping to form an alliance against Hitler. • There was little the West could offer Stalin except that the Soviets would do most of the fighting and that they would not be rewarded with any territory for doing so. Allied Military Mission to Moscow, 1939

27. The Nazi-Soviet Pact • Hitler had far more to offer. • The Germans would divide Eastern Europe between them, and there would be no need to fight.

28. Nazi-Soviet Pact • Hitler now had a free hand in Europe. • Stalin thought that the capitalists would now fight a long, drawn-out struggle, while the USSR built its strength while staying out of the conflict.

29. The Nazi-Soviet Pact • Stalin could not have been more wrong. • He was convinced Hitler would not attack him for years. • When Hitler did strike, Stalin was unready. The Soviets had abandoned their old pre-war defense works for new forward positions in readiness for new offensive plans. • Soviet forces were caught completely unprepared.

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