Stalin's Foreign Policy
Stalin’s Foreign Policy
Joseph Stalin rose to power in the USSR by 1928. His foreign Policy means how the USSR interacted with other nations such as France and Germany. Historians interpret Stalin’s foreign policy in two different ways: One side describes his foreign policy being aimed at manipulating the western nations (Great Britain, France, Germany and the US) into a destructive war between them, making it easier for Stalin to expand towards the west. This view describes Stalin as being very aggresssive. However, the other view states that Stalin was looking for security of the USSR, and protecting his nation from a German invasion, seeing that Hitler has described Russian territory as “Lebensraum“ in his manifesto “Mein Kampf“. This second view makes alot more sense as his main aim of security is attached to sub-aims which have been met by 1941.
Aims and sub-aims of Stalin’s foreign policy:
Stalin’s main aim he hoped to achieve with his foreign policy was security for the USSR. Security, in this case, means to protect the USSR from a German invasion. In order to achieve this aim, he had to achieve two sub-aims. One being political recognition by the powerful western nations and the other being industrial and military strength. To be recognised by the other nations would enable him to form trade alliances (which would help strengthen the USSR’s economy) and peace treaties, which would prevent the USSR from being invaded. Military and industrial strength would make it harder for any other nation to invade, seeing that they would have to face much higher resistance and a better organized country with improved arms. Both sub aims are linked to the main aim, because the USSR will be harder to annex if the sub aims are met, therefore security for the USSR increases.
Successes and failures:
Successes | Failures | In 1932, the USSR signs peace pacts with Finland, the three Baltic states, France, Italy and Poland. The fact that powers such as France
Joseph Stalin rose to power in the USSR by 1928. His foreign Policy means how the USSR interacted with other nations such as France and Germany. Historians interpret Stalin’s foreign policy in two different ways: One side describes his foreign policy being aimed at manipulating the western nations (Great Britain, France, Germany and the US) into a destructive war between them, making it easier for Stalin to expand towards the west. This view describes Stalin as being very aggresssive. However, the other view states that Stalin was looking for security of the USSR, and protecting his nation from a German invasion, seeing that Hitler has described Russian territory as “Lebensraum“ in his manifesto “Mein Kampf“. This second view makes alot more sense as his main aim of security is attached to sub-aims which have been met by 1941.
Aims and sub-aims of Stalin’s foreign policy:
Stalin’s main aim he hoped to achieve with his foreign policy was security for the USSR. Security, in this case, means to protect the USSR from a German invasion. In order to achieve this aim, he had to achieve two sub-aims. One being political recognition by the powerful western nations and the other being industrial and military strength. To be recognised by the other nations would enable him to form trade alliances (which would help strengthen the USSR’s economy) and peace treaties, which would prevent the USSR from being invaded. Military and industrial strength would make it harder for any other nation to invade, seeing that they would have to face much higher resistance and a better organized country with improved arms. Both sub aims are linked to the main aim, because the USSR will be harder to annex if the sub aims are met, therefore security for the USSR increases.
Successes and failures:
Successes | Failures | In 1932, the USSR signs peace pacts with Finland, the three Baltic states, France, Italy and Poland. The fact that powers such as France