Effects of the second war Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Effects of the second war - Research Paper ExampleSuch a policy revealed ?an eagerness, a desire, not to hinder the ag- gressors in their nefarious work.? The western powers allowed Germany to have Austria, ?despite the job to defend her independence they let her have the Sudeten region they abandoned Czechoslovakia to her fate.? Finally, Stalin enunciated Soviet policy towards its neighbors We stand for peaceful, fill and friendly relations with all neighboring countries which have common frontiers with the U.S.S.R. That is our position and we shall adhere to this position as long as these countries maintain like relations with the Soviet Union, and as long as they chance on no attempt to trespass, directly or indirectly, on the integrity and inviola- bility of the frontiers of the Soviet state. He concluded with a warning to the Party ?to be cautious and not to allow our country to be drawn into conflicts by war- mongers who are accustomed to have others pull the chestnuts out o f the fire for them.?11 Was Stalins statement a renewing in Soviet foreign policy or was he restating an old hope, agreement with Germany over east Europe? He was probably attempting to warn Britain and France not to leave the Soviet Union to face Germany alone. From Berlin in that respect was silence. Although Ribbentrop brought the speech to Hitlers attention suggesting that he be authorized to learn more about Stalins intentions, Hitler was uninterested. Alexei Merekalov, the Soviet ambassador, brought a message from the Kremlin to the German Foreign Ministry on April 17. Ostensibly the reason for his visit was the matter of Soviet con- tracts with the Skoda whole works in Czechoslovakia for war materi- als. However, Merekalov proceeded to lead Ernst von Weizsaecker, the state secretary, into a discussion of German-Polish relations and finally came around to the melodic theme of Russo-German affairs. At last Merekalov got to the point ideological differences, he suggested, n eed not be a ?stumbling tote? to friendly relations. ?Russia had not exploited the present friction between Germany and the western democracies against us Germany, nor did she wish to do that.?12 There was no reason for Russia and Germany not to enjoy normal relations. In contrast to Weizsaeckers account, accord to Soviet doc- uments released in 1990 and 1992, the meeting was not the occasion of a Soviet hint at a possible rapprochement. The signal of detente was coming from the Germans. Merekalov was merely following instructions in presenting Soviet complaints concern- ing Germanys failure to satiate contracts of the former Czecho- slovak Skoda factories. Merekalov made no plea for improved Russo-German relations. It is quite possible that Weizsaeckers account is the more accurate. Meanwhile, Britain and France embarked on tortuous nego- tiations with the Soviet government. On April 14, the British gov- ernment pressed the Soviet Union to make a populace declaration promising to assist any European neighbor of the Soviet Union who resisted aggression if much(prenominal) assistance was desired. Britain would not be involved in this declaration. France, however, made a different proposal involving France sledding to war against Germany if Poland or Romania were to be attacked. France would aid the Soviet Union if it were at war as a result of aid- ing Poland or Romania. Litvinov replied on April 17 with a proposal for a triple al- liance in which Britain, France, and the Soviet Union would aid each other in case of aggression against