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To what extent was Stalin’s attitude towards foreign powers before 1929 by…
To what extent was Stalin’s attitude towards foreign powers before 1929 by ideology?
Germany
Ideology
No argument
Personal motives (to strengthen his own position and the position of the USSR in the world)
Treaty of Berlin signed in 1926
Viewed as ‘an amplification of the Treaty of Rapallo’ which ensured friendly German-Soviet relations.
The fact that Stalin was willing to cooperate with Stresemann and Germany, an ideological rival, shows his mind was firmly focused on strengthening Russia’s position in Europe and not on building his ideological utopia.
Showed Stalin was continuing Lenin's legacy of the Treaty of Rapallo
Allowed him to exploit the cult of Lenin and helped him be viewed as Lenin's true successor pushing him ahead of other candidates in the power struggle
The failed Spartacus uprising in 1919 proved that Germany was not ready for a revolution so there was no real chance of spreading communism
Article 2 stated that if either country was attacked by a third party the other would stay neutral
More useful for Russia since they were ideological antagonists to countries in Western Europe and America so were susceptible to an attack
Comintern
Ideology
The change to more aggressive ambitions abroad in 1929 at the 6th Comintern was driven ideology
He termed capitalists as ‘social-facists’ and the deadliest enemies of socialism
However, it may also be due to good timing, since world capitalism was facing a crisis (the beginning or the Great Depression)
He knew it would be a good opportunity to launch an attack on the anti-communist social democratic parties in Europe
Pushed Comintern to purge 'weak elements' and prepare to fight to spread the revolution
Personal motives (to strengthen his own position and the position of the USSR in the world)
He used the organisation to control communist parties in countries such as France, Germany and Italy.
He imposed strict disciplne on the communist parties
He also invited to go to Russia and drive towards sharpening communism
China
Ideology
Stalin did not trust the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
They had an independent interpretation of Marxist ideology which he viewed as a threat.
When conflict between the two parties broke out Stalin gave financial and military help to the Guomindang
Stalin did not trust the Marxist ideology of the CCP
Stalin believed the Guomindang was the stronger force and if they won control which was likely, they could be a very useful ally for a vunerable Russia.
Personal motives (to strengthen his own position and the position of the USSR in the world)
He did not trust the ideology of the CCP but the Guomindang were a greater ideological rival since they were revolutionary-nationalists
Proving he supported the side he believed were stronger
Conclusion
Stalin's attitude was partly driven by ideology
The main factor for his decisions towards foreign powers were his own personal motives and it is a recurring theme which cannot be said about ideology