Stalin’s foreign policy in the 1920s was essentially anti British and pro German. After all, the British, on Churchill’s insistence, had intervened in the Russian civil war on the side of the White armies. The Rapallo Treaty of co-operation with Weimar Germany exemplified Stalin’s approach. But after Hitler’s rise to power and escalating anti Communist rhetoric, Stalin switched to favouring a ‘Popular Front’ strategy to counter fascism.
Out of necessity, he made common cause with the European democracies. But believing the policy switch had run its course, Stalin sought to revive the Rapallo policy, except this time the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact contained secret protocols dividing Europe into German and Soviet zones of influence. Assuming the Pact would hold and would be mutually beneficial, Stalin failed to anticipate the Nazi attack on June 22, 1941.
This lecture is part of the 'From Versailles to Potsdam: Diplomacy and Conflict in Europe 1919-1945' lecture series, taking place on Fridays from the 17th of October to the 21st of November. You may either register for individual lectures or the entire lecture series at a reduced price.
Please note: this lecture will close to enrolments at 23:59 on 4 November 2025.