Section 4: Soviet Foreign and International Policies.

Question 1

How was foreign policy under Stalin?

Answer 1

• Dominated by the fear of German invasion
• Need to make USSR strong
• foreigners viewed with fear and distrust.

Question 2

Khrushchevs aims?

Answer 2

• repair splits between communist States so communism was strong, united front
• peaceful coexistence.

Question 3

What were the ideological differences between China and the USSR’s communism?

Answer 3

• USSR : Marxist-Leninist path focussed on the Proletariat
• China: focused on the peasants.

Question 4

Reasons for split with China?

Answer 4

• the secret speech - as Mao used Stalin as an example to consolidate his own cult of personality and he was given no warning
• Khrushchev through Moa was too hard-line and Mao thought Khrushchev was too friendly with the West.
• Dissent in Eastern Europe 1956 was worrying for China as they didn’t want dissent in Tibet
• China reacted badly when USSR stationed troops in China.

Question 5

How did the split worsen?

Answer 5

1963-4, Moa and Khrushchev openly criticised each other. After Khrushchev was removed from power, Moa feared he would be removed too.

Question 6

What was peaceful coexistence?

Answer 6

• governments did not have to be hostile with each other despite conflicting ideologies.

Question 7

When did the Sino-Soviet split occur?

Answer 7

1960.

Question 8

What Khrushchev issue to Western powers in November 1958? (BC)

Answer 8

ultimatum that they would withdraw from Berlin, after which the USSR will too and it’ll become part of the GDR.

Question 9

How did Western powers respond to the November ultimatum? (BC)

Answer 9

refused; Berlin was great for Western propaganda and to gain information about the Soviet bloc.