To what extent was Stalin's foreign policy after 1945 aimed at the expansion of the communist system.

Authors Avatar

QUESTION ONE:

To what extent was Stalin’s foreign policy after 1945 aimed at the expansion of the communist system.

Subsequent to the Second World War two major influential states emerged, the United States and the Soviet Union, however due to their ideological differences conflict seemed inventible. The Traditionalist school of thought argues that Stalin’s Soviet Union foreign policy after 1945 was predominantly aimed at the expansion of the communist system. However this argument is contradicted by revisionist theories who believe that Stalin’s foreign policy after 1945 was predominantly defensive. When discussing particular events in history it is often difficult to obtain a completely unbiased opinion and therefore numerous viewpoints need to be analyzed.

Stalin’s foreign policy after the Second World War, is viewed by traditionalist theorists as motivated predominantly by expansionist intentions. The Soviet Union is described by as being aggressive and untrustworthy, particularly as it failed to uphold policies and negotiations which were implemented by the two rivals and their allies.  Furthermore the expansionist policies which took place particularly in areas not geographically significant to the Soviet Union openly demonstrated that communist expansionism was being encouraged and implemented, “the Soviets always seek ways of undermining the authority of non-communist powers so as to expand the communist world” (M. McCauley, 1983:9). In contrast the United States foreign policy is generally described as being initially passive, only later changing as a result of expansionist policies undertaken by the Soviet Union. Arguing that although Eastern Europe itself was not of particular strategic importance to the United States, the fear that the expansion would continue and eventually affect Western Europe was of great concern. Hence the use of communist coercion and support of communist uprisings in both neighboring states and the rest of the world gave rise to the United States and their allies’ suspicions of Stalin’s foreign policy.

Events occurring in the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean regions are seen by traditionalist theorists as expansionist policies undertaken by Stalin. The occupation of Iran began initially on justified terms in 1941 during the Second World War, where Britain and the Soviet Union used it as a means to transfer military supplies to the Soviet front. However as the war began to come to conclusion problems began to emerge, particularly in respect to Stalin’s communist expansionist policies.  Iran complained that the USSR had completely isolated its occupation zone from outside contact. However the Soviet government defended this by explaining that it was only protecting itself against possible Anglo-American expansion in Iran. By 1946 the Soviets refused to withdraw their troops from the State and although Stalin’s intentions were not entirely clear various traditionalist sources argue that the Soviet Union had strong intentions of converting Iran into a communist Soviet Satellite. Furthermore Stalin’s refusal to accept the Iranian government’s willingness to offer oil concessions in return for their withdrawal from Soviet-occupied Azerbaijan and Kurdish regions further proved that “Moscow’s goal was nothing less than detaching the northern area of Azerbaijan and than by various means pressuring Iran into a servile status”.(J. Spanier, 1990:30). By mid-November, Azerbaijan became a region of much tension and independent movements supported by the Soviet Union began to emerge. This situation which occurred in Iran is viewed by many traditionalists as clear evidence of Stalin’s willingness to expand the communist ideology and hence his influence in the region.  

Join now!

Another apprehension for the anti communist powers was the situation escalating in Greece. Although a general election was held in 1946 restoring the King to the throne, the increasing strength of the communist forces in northern Greece became a great concern to not only the Greek government but also to Britain and later the United States. The Greek government claimed that the communist guerrilla fighters known as ELAS were receiving assistance from three countries all closely linked to the Soviet Union, Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. Some traditionalist’s argue that this was a direct result of Stalin’s foreign policy aimed ...

This is a preview of the whole essay