Stalin foreign policy - China

What was Stalin’s main aim in foreign affairs?

Keeping Russia safe whilst focusing on domestic matters to build “Socialism in One Country”

What was Stalin’s attitude to Comintern?

He viewed it as an unwelcome nuisance and a relic of the failed world revolution

Who were Stalin’s chief representatives in foreign policy?

Georgii Chicherin and his deputy Maksim Litinov

How were Chicherin and Litinov regarded?

As polished diplomats with a moderate and reassuring image, trusted by Stalin and useful in maintaining “safe” relations with other powers, esp. Germany

Why was China facing instability in the1920s?

The collapse of Old Imperial China in 1911 and the death of President Sun Yatsen in 1925, rise in strikes and the working class became increasingly militant

When was the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) formed?

1921

What was the aim of the CCP when it was first founded?

To continue a communist revolution into China

What did the CCP expect but not receive from Russia?

Support from Comintern and Stalin

Who did Stalin back instead of the CCP?

Jiang Jeshi, the leader of the revolutionary-nationalist movement the Guomindang.

Why did Stalin back Jiang Jeshi instead of the CCP in terms of STABILITY?

He believed he would be more able to bring stability to what was a key strategic area on Russia’s border

Why did Stalin back Jiang Jeshi instead of the CCP in terms of IDEOLOGY?

He was suspicious of the independent interpretation of Marxist ideology that the CCP had adopted - e.g. he later accused them of abandoning the urban working class and focusing on the peasantry

What did Stalin try to encourage amongst the Chinese politicians that did not happen?

An “alliance from within” - an alliance between the Guomindang and the CCP

When did conflict break out in China?

March 1926

What happened in March 1926?

The Guomindang massacred striking workers in Canton and established a military dictatorship

What happened in April 1927?

the Guomindang (GMD) suppressed a communist-led workers’ revolt in Shanghai, which resulted in the death of thousands of workers

Other than Shanghai, where else did the GMD kill striking workers in 1927?

Wuhan

How many workers were killed by the GMD in 1927?

around 30,000

How did Stalin respond to the events in China in 1925-27 in terms of BELIEF?

He was mostly concerned about ensuring Russia’s safety and he believed the GMD was the most powerful force in China, which is why he continued to help them

What kind of help did Stalin give Jiang Jieshi?

Financial aid, military backing and political support

What did Stalin pressure the Politburo to do following the events in China in 1925-27?

Allow the GMD to become part of the Comintern

What did Stalin blame the travesties in China on?

The communists, who had abandoned the urban working class for the peasantry

By the end of 1927, what were relationships like between the USSR and CCP?

Weak

How did Trotsky and the Left Opposition react to Stalin’s actions regarding China?

They bitterly criticised him - e.g. in the Communist Party Congress of December 1927, there was much criticism of Stalin’s actions

Why did Trotsky’s criticisms of Stalin’s actions in China have little impact?

His influence was decreasing, “Socialism in One Country” was still a popular policy amongst party members, Trotsky was expelled from the party at the congress in December 1927