IB History Move to Global War 9 Soviet Foreign Policy

Summary

The transcript explores Soviet foreign policy from 1917 to the pre-World War II era, focusing on the USSR's evolving strategy in the global political landscape. Initially, the Soviet Union aimed to spark world revolution, but by 1934, pragmatic national interests took precedence, including securing relations with the West and managing security concerns. The script discusses key phases, such as the Soviet retreat after the failed revolution at Warsaw in 1920, the shift to collective security, and the eventual Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Nazi Germany. Ideology and national interests intertwined throughout Soviet foreign policy, shaping its approach to both cooperation and conflict with capitalist powers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Soviet Union's foreign policy evolved through multiple phases, initially focused on extracting Russia from World War I and later aiming for world revolution.
• 😀 The period between 1918 and 1920 saw the Soviet Union's attempts to spread communism globally, but faced resistance from other nations, such as Poland and Germany, which led to a halt at the gates of Warsaw.
• 😀 After the 1920s, the Soviet Union focused on rebuilding itself and improving relations with other countries, shifting towards a more national interest-driven foreign policy.
• 😀 From 1928 onward, the Soviet Union's foreign policy saw a 'left turn' with the Comintern pushing for more aggressive socialist ideologies and rejecting cooperation with moderate socialists.
• 😀 By 1934, the Soviet Union embraced collective security, moving away from previous skepticism of the League of Nations and engaging in more pragmatic relations with capitalist countries.
• 😀 The Soviet Union's ideological goals included spreading revolution globally, but their foreign policy also included cooperation with capitalist countries for economic and security reasons.
• 😀 National security was a major concern for the Soviet Union, particularly after the German invasion in World War I and the interventions during the Russian Civil War by foreign powers.
• 😀 Economic interests played a key role in Soviet foreign policy, with the Soviet Union needing to sell wheat and attract foreign investment to rebuild its economy.
• 😀 The Soviet Union's relationship with the West fluctuated, with periods of cooperation and periods of distrust, such as after the Spanish Civil War and the Munich Conference.
• 😀 The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany was motivated by both security concerns and ideological similarities, as both sides shared common goals in Eastern Europe.
• 😀 The concept of peaceful coexistence with capitalist nations was rooted in the belief that capitalism would inevitably collapse, allowing the Soviet Union to eventually bring about world revolution.

Q & A

What were the main phases of Soviet foreign policy between 1917 and 1939?

Soviet foreign policy went through several phases: from 1917-1918, focused on pulling Russia out of World War I with the Brest-Litovsk Treaty; from 1918-1920, it was involved in a civil war and attempting to promote world revolution; from 1920-1933, there was an attempt to expand influence, which shifted to a more cautious approach; and after 1934, the Soviet Union embraced collective security, leading to strategic alliances and cooperation with both Nazi Germany and Western powers.

What was the Soviet Union's approach to world revolution in its early years?

From 1918 to 1920, the Soviet Union aimed to spread world revolution by encouraging workers of the world to unite. However, their efforts were thwarted when their advance into Poland in 1920 was stopped, and the working classes in other countries were not particularly interested in communist ideology.

How did Soviet foreign policy shift after the failed world revolution attempts in 1920?

After the failure of the world revolution, Soviet foreign policy turned inward, focusing on maintaining good relations with other countries, and it took a more cautious and defensive approach to international relations, attempting to secure its borders and rebuild its strength.

What was the 'Left Turn' of the Comintern and how did it impact Soviet foreign policy?

The Left Turn of the Comintern, starting in 1928, marked a shift in Soviet foreign policy towards rejecting cooperation with moderate socialists and focusing on subversive activities aimed at promoting revolution. This was a more aggressive approach that viewed moderate socialists as part of the bourgeoisie.

Why did the Soviet Union embrace collective security in 1934 despite its initial skepticism about the League of Nations?

By 1934, the Soviet Union embraced collective security because it recognized the need for security against foreign aggression, particularly after the negative experiences of World War I, the Russian Civil War, and the failure of diplomatic efforts. Despite initially viewing the League of Nations as a capitalist tool, the Soviets sought alliances to ensure their own safety.

How did the Soviet Union's perception of Western powers evolve by the late 1930s?

By the late 1930s, the Soviet Union became disillusioned with Western powers, particularly after the Munich Conference of 1938, where they felt that France and Britain had failed to adequately address the growing threat of Nazi Germany. This shift led to the Soviet Union's decision to sign the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Nazi Germany in 1939.

What was the significance of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in Soviet foreign policy?

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939 was a significant shift in Soviet foreign policy, as it marked an alliance with Nazi Germany, a regime ideologically opposed to communism. This pact was driven by the Soviet Union's desire for security, mutual territorial interests, and the mistrust of Western powers, particularly after the Munich Agreement.

What role did ideology play in Soviet foreign policy, especially in relation to capitalist countries?

Ideology played a crucial role in Soviet foreign policy, as the Soviets believed in the inevitable collapse of capitalism. They saw capitalist countries as adversaries but also embraced the idea of peaceful coexistence, waiting for capitalism to collapse while simultaneously building strength to promote global revolution.

How did Soviet foreign policy reflect a balance between ideology and national interest?

Soviet foreign policy balanced ideological goals, such as spreading communism and undermining capitalism, with national interests like ensuring security, economic stability, and access to export markets. The need to defend the Soviet Union's borders and gain economic benefits influenced decisions like forming alliances with capitalist countries when necessary.

Why did the Soviet Union initially reject working with moderate socialists, and how did this change by the mid-1930s?

The Soviet Union initially rejected working with moderate socialists after the Left Turn of the Comintern in 1928, which characterized such socialists as part of the bourgeoisie. However, by the mid-1930s, as international pressures grew, the Soviet Union became more pragmatic, focusing on security and economic cooperation, which led to some engagement with Western countries.