British Policy Evolution towards the USSR in the 1930s
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To what extent did British policy towards the USSR change during the 1930s?
ESSAY
The British policy towards the USSR during the 1930s was characterized by a mix of suspicion, mistrust, and attempts at cooperation. While there are different views on the extent of change in British policy towards the Soviet Union during this period, it is evident that there were both continuities and shifts in their approach.
One perspective argues that there was little change in British policy towards the USSR throughout the 1930s, as suspicion of communism and the Soviet Union remained high. This view is supported by the fact that Conservative governments, which dominated the period, were inherently distrustful of communism and considered it a greater threat than fascism. The Soviet Union's actions, such as sending aid to the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War despite signing the non-intervention agreement, further reinforced British suspicions. Additionally, the exclusion of the Soviet Union from the Munich Conference and the subsequent Nazi-Soviet Pact in 1939 highlighted the continued distrust towards the USSR.
However, it is important to recognize that there were instances of a more positive policy towards the Soviet Union during the 1930s. For example, in 1930, a Labour government restored diplomatic relations and renewed trade deals with the Soviet Union, indicating a willingness to engage in diplomacy. Furthermore, in 1934, the Soviet Union was invited to join the League of Nations, with no objection from Britain, signaling a potential shift towards cooperation.
Moreover, amidst growing tensions in Europe, there were attempts by Britain to draw the Soviet Union into an anti-German agreement in support of Poland. Concerns for Poland's security led to negotiations with the Soviet Union, but the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact between Ribbentrop and Molotov undermined these efforts and strained Anglo-Soviet relations even further.
In conclusion, while there were some positive initiatives towards the Soviet Union during the 1930s, overall, British policy remained largely suspicious and distrustful of the USSR. The period was marked by a combination of attempts at cooperation and continued suspicions, ultimately culminating in strained relations with the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
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To what extent did British policy towards the USSR change during the 1930s?
Indicative content: There will be a stronger case for ‘no change’ in that the UK remained largely suspicious of the Soviet Union throughout the period but there are changes that can be identified and explained and good candidates should be able to produce balanced accounts. Suggestions that there was basically no change may stem from an understanding that relations had largely been poor throughout the previous decade.
The 1930s continued to be dominated by Conservative governments which were largely distrustful of communism and considered it a greater threat than fascism. This distrust seemed justified when the SU sent aid to the Republicans in Spain despite signing the non-intervention agreement. Soviet Union was excluded from the Munich Conference despite it having a defence pact with France and Czechoslovakia. This distrust was further confirmed by the Nazi Soviet Pact in 1939.
A more positive policy can be identified at several points. In 1930 a Labour government restored diplomatic relations and renewed trade deals with the SU. In 1934 the SU was invited to join the League of Nations (with no objection from Britain). After the seizure of Czechoslovakia concern for Poland led to attempts to draw the SU into an anti-German agreement in support of Poland as Brit and France knew that they could not provide direct help in the event of a German invasion. A delegation was sent to Russia to negotiate but in the meantime Ribbentrop and Molotov were negotiating their Pact. This reduced Anglo-Soviet relations to an even worse level of hostility. Accept any other valid responses.