The relations between the USSR and Germany remained generally positive until 1930, largely due to the diplomatic efforts of Gustav Stresemann, a key figure in German foreign policy during that period. Both countries had their reasons for seeking amicable relations.
1. Trade Treaty (1921)
- Summary: In 1921, a trade treaty was signed between the USSR and Germany, facilitating economic cooperation. German industrialists gained trade concessions in Russia.
2. Rapallo Agreement (1922)
- Provisions:
- Full diplomatic relations were reestablished between Russia and Germany.
- A special relationship was established between the two nations.
- Both countries canceled any war reparations they owed each other.
- German armament began: Germany was permitted to construct factories in Russia for the production of airplanes and ammunition, allowing Germany to bypass disarmament clauses in the Treaty of Versailles. German officers received training in Russia to use weapons that were prohibited in Germany under the Treaty of Versailles.
- Reasons for Amicable Relations:
- Both Russia and Germany sought to keep Poland weak.
- Russia wanted Germany to serve as a buffer state against potential Western attacks, as Western powers were hostile to communist Russia.
- Russia aimed to maintain good relations with at least one capitalist country.
3. Treaty of Berlin (1926)
- Summary: This treaty extended the Rapallo Agreement until 1931. Germany promised to remain neutral if the USSR was attacked by another power, and both nations agreed not to impose economic sanctions on each other.
4. After 1930s
- Shift in Relations:
- Negativity emerged in the relationship as the USSR opposed the increasing influence of the Nazis in Germany, who held strong anti-communist views.
- The USSR was against the Austria-Germany Customs Union (1931), viewing it as a sign of rising German nationalism that could threaten Russian frontiers in the future.
- Stalin gradually drifted towards Poland, Britain, and France.
- Hitler attempted to improve relations with Russia after 1934.
5. Non-Aggression Pact (1939)Summary: In 1939, a Non-Aggression Pact was signed between the USSR and Germany, committing both nations not to attack each other. The agreement included a clause to divide Poland between the USSR and Germany if the USSR remained neutral when Germany attacked Poland. This strategic move by Hitler prevented Britain from forming an alliance with the USSR, which would have allowed Britain to better protect Poland, whose safety Britain had guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. FAQ: What was the initial relationship between the USSR and Germany after World War I in 1919?
Answer: In the aftermath of World War I, the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and Germany initially had strained relations. The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh conditions on Germany, leading to economic hardships and political instability. The USSR, being a communist state, was isolated diplomatically, and Western powers were skeptical of its intentions.
2. FAQ: When did diplomatic relations between the USSR and Germany improve during the early 1920s?
Answer: Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Germany began to improve in the early 1920s, particularly with the signing of the Treaty of Rapallo in 1922. This agreement normalized relations, renounced territorial and financial claims from both sides, and paved the way for economic cooperation. The USSR and Germany found common ground in challenging the post-World War I order dominated by the Allied powers.
3. FAQ: How did economic collaboration between the USSR and Germany evolve between 1922 and 1933?
Answer: Economic collaboration between the USSR and Germany expanded during this period. The Treaty of Rapallo facilitated military and economic cooperation, allowing both nations to circumvent certain provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. The two countries engaged in trade agreements, technological exchanges, and military cooperation, with German industry contributing to the development of Soviet infrastructure.
4. FAQ: What impact did the global economic downturn in the late 1920s have on USSR-Germany relations?
Answer: The global economic downturn, marked by the Great Depression, strained USSR-Germany relations. Economic hardships led to increased competition for resources and markets, contributing to tensions. The political landscape in Germany also shifted, with the rise of the Nazi Party. The changing dynamics set the stage for a reevaluation of the Soviet-German relationship.
5. FAQ: How did the political landscape in Germany influence USSR-Germany relations leading up to Hitler’s rise to power in 1933?
Answer: The political landscape in Germany underwent significant changes, culminating in Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in 1933. The Nazi regime, inherently anti-communist, shifted Germany’s foreign policy away from cooperation with the USSR. This shift marked the deterioration of Soviet-German relations, leading to the eventual breakdown of diplomatic ties and the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1939.
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