Studies On Foreign Policies Of USSR Towards The Spanish Second Republic During1930s

From the view of theories of international relations, the principal Soviet diplomatic goal derived from the balance of power ideology which aiming to resolving security dilemma was building the European collective security system for the sake of dealing with the threat of the growing fascism threat during1930s. For whom, establishment of the second Spanish republic provided a certain approach to implement. Confronting the attitude of noninterference from Anglo-French as well as "muscular interventionism" involved by Germany and Italy, the Soviet Union decided to assist the republic to obtain economic benefit and geopolitical interest. However, the Soviet’intervention in Spain was not compatible with the collective security to some extent. Endeavors to balance that conflict embodied in the details of policies towards the republic.Policies towards the republic always maintained cautious, moderate and pragmatic gesture, along with adjustment according to the change of international environment, were implemented by USSR and Comintern mutually. Assistance form Soviet Union indeed played an important role of sustaining the republic. Nevertheless, with the further expansion of fascist forces together with deterioration of self-security situation, the USSR was reluctant to expand the political investment in Spain any longer in order to avoid more risks. Therefore, aid given by the Soviet Union was increasingly shrinking over time. Appeasement Policy of Anglo-French and their attempt to channel the conflict between Russia and Germany ultimately compelled USSR to give up pursuing of collective security conception gradually, opting instead to engage with Germany for security guarantees. Essentially, the Soviet intervention could be considered as one political game, the unsatisfactory result of expectation was mainly due to contradictions between its limited strength and relative advanced political planning.This dissertation is composed of four major parts. The first part basically focuses on foreign policies of USSR and Comintern toward the second republic before Spain civil war, especially on reviewing the Soviet Union diplomatic characteristics as well as diplomatic efforts for republic in early stage. The second part centers on analyzing the reaction, motivation of interference of USSR besides republic’s diplomatic choice before and after the civil war, aiming to clarify the essence of Soviet decision depended on multiplied reference. The third part puts an emphasis upon a introduction of content of soviet aid and effection. The forth part mainly expounds on policies on the two Madrid governments, meanwhile illustrating the policy track, explaining the reasons for policy shift. At last, the conclusion summarizes the essence of Soviet policies with Stalin’s diplomatic feature.