1. Soviet Foreign Policy to 1939 Ms Leslie History 12

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. U.S. recognition was also granted in 1934 The USSR hoped to involve the US as a counter to Japan

6. 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.

7. May 1935, a Franco-Soviet Pact was signed, providing for mutual support if a 3 rd party attacked either. the same month a Czechoslovak-Soviet Pact was also signed

8. 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

9. 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 Aid ceased and the International Brigade was withdrawn.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.