Internal Factors Leading to Foreign Policies: Russia

2. Tsar – autocrat, but listened to many people
3. Right and Left Conflict:

c. I) Liberal:

-2 parties: Octoberists: -more conservative, work with old constitution

Kadets – constitution democrats, want reform of constitution with Duma in                                   control of Council Ministers

-want to strengthen ties with France and England => push internal reform.

- Plan: concede in Poland

c. II) Conservative:

- fear friendship with France and England, as it would encourage liberal ideas

- believed war will lead to revolution

- want to ally with Germans

- want Russia to regain power. Plan: revive goal of controlling Constantinople and   Straits

3. Panslav and Neopan

Balkans

- Liberals and Conservatives believed Russia had direct interest in Balkans

- success in foreign relations will lead to internal development

Conservatives/Octoberist Liberals: Panslav

• Russia is protector of Christian Slavs
• Slavs from Turkey should be dependent on Russia

Kadet Liberasl: Neoslav

• free association of independent Slavs
• Balkan relations will push reform at home

       Conclusion

• Russian foreign policy not based on money but based on beliefs, hopes and consequences of war and the effect on the internal situation

• Government believed that a vigorous foreign policy would overcome nationalist tendencies at home

• Confusion within Russian Government (war vs. peace)
• Tsar ultimate decision-maker, but took advice from many
• The Right (Conservatives): Russia must exert position as Great Power
• The Left (Liberals): Russia should strengthen ties w/ FR and GE to increase support for internal reform
• Both Sides believed that Russia did have direct interest in Balkans

Questions:

1. Discuss and provide proof to why Russia’s internal government is in a state of confusion.

• War minister (Sukhomlinov) said Russia ready for war
• foreign Minister (Sazanov) said Russia should maintain friendship with Germany

2. Evaluate the attitudes of Neoslav and Panslav.

Panslav

1. Aim of RUS policy is:

1. to spread RUS influence to Straits
2. protect Christian Slaves freed from Turkish rule

Neoslav (liberals)

2. Wanted free association of independent Slavs
3. Relation w/ Slavs = reform @ home

3.  Under what kind of pressures was the Tsar subjected to? And where do the pressures come from?

        Liberal:                  - Wants alliance with France and England

                                - Thought war might bring out reserves of loyalty to Tsar

        Conservative:         - Wants alliance with Austria and Germany

• War might provoke a revolution

4. Why was Russia hesitant on seizing Constantinople?

• They did not want to provoke a European war.
• Would be difficult to seize Constantinople while also at the same time fighting on the western front.

5.  What did the two sides (right and left) disagree on and why? Whatt did they agree on?

• Disagreed w/:

• Whether to have alliance with GE (right)

• Feared relations with FR/GB might lead to liberal ideas
• Wanted to increase prestige = World Power

• or to strengthen ties w/ FR and GB (in order to pressure for internal reform)

• willing to make concessions to achieve this end

• Agreed with:

• Russia did and should have direct interest in the Balkans

• Liberals: believed in pan-Slavism (Russia was the protector of Christian Slavs)
• New Gen. Of Liberals: neo-pan-Slavism (free association of independent Slavs)