1. Riga axioms.

2. A key centre for research on Soviet Union was in Riga, capital of Latvia. Latvia was now an independent republic and a safe haven for exiled middle and upper class Russians.

3. Why is Riga important? America did not recognise the new Soviet state but set up a division of the state department to keep them up to date with Russian thinking. Attitudes developed in Riga had a profound influence on the policies of the Division of Russian Affairs based in Washington.

4. Advice from Riga took the Soviet threat very seriously and warned the USA to be on their guard. Great stress was laid on the world revolutionary goals of the Soviet leaders.

5. George Kennan was one of the Americans based in Riga. He was immersed in the Russian language and cultural studies and influenced by the non-radical elite of Imperial Russia now in exile.

6. Kennan had very definite views on the value of an alliance with Russia “Never then nor at any later date did I consider the Soviet Union a fit ally or associate, actual or potential, for this country” It was the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 prompted USA to finally recognise USSR.