World-history / International Relations / Britain-USSR Relations (1919-33)
Britain-USSR Relations (1919-33)
- 1907 Britain-Russia Agreement
- Summary: This agreement, established in 1907, led to a reduction in bilateral tensions and facilitated increased trade and investments between Britain and Russia.
- Left-Right Divide
- Summary: The nature of the relationship between Britain and the USSR often depended on the political ideology of the ruling party in Britain. Relations tended to be amicable when the Labour Party was in power, but strained when the Conservatives held office. This was attributed to the ideological contrast between leftist Russia and the right-wing Conservatives in Britain.
- British Involvement in Russian Civil War (1918-1920)
- Summary: During the Russian Civil War, Britain played a role in the conflict, which took place from 1918 to 1920. This involvement influenced the dynamics of their relationship.
- Trade Agreement (1921)
- Summary: Lenin sought to bolster the Russian economy through trade and investment. The 1921 Trade Agreement not only facilitated economic cooperation but also served as a form of recognition for the communist government in Russia by Britain.
- Genoa Conference (1922)
- Summary: The Genoa Conference of 1922 widened the divide between Russia and Britain, particularly concerning the issue of war debts incurred by the Czarist regime.
- On-Off Diplomatic Ties
- 1927: The British Conservative government severed diplomatic ties with Russia upon learning about Comintern activity in India and Britain.
- 1929: The Labour Government resumed diplomatic relations with the USSR.
- Rise of Hitler (1933)
- Summary: Hitler's rise to power in 1933 brought about a more positive atmosphere between Britain and the USSR. The emergence of Nazi Germany posed a threat to the USSR's borders, and the Nazi propaganda strongly criticized communism. This animosity stemmed from the fact that the Communists in Germany were a significant opposition group to the Nazis, and since 1917, the Bolsheviks had attempted to instigate a communist revolution in Germany.
