Soviet motives for, and moves towards, Peaceful Coexistence

Soviet motives for, and moves towards, Peaceful Coexistence

1. Peaceful Coexistence

   • Shortly after Stalin death, Beria tried to forge better relationship with West by proposing reunified, neutral Germany.
     • His initiative was ruined in June 53 by Soviet repression of anti comm protests in East Germany
       • 2 months later, Malenkov called for a 'new course' in foreign policy, which focused on peaceful coexistence with the West
         • Malenkov not convinced that a capitalist-communist war was inevitable
           • Consequently, USSR could devote resources to living standards and developing consumer industries
             • K initially opposed the new course, but once Malenkov had been removed, adopted it under the name of 'Peaceful Coexistence'
   • Summary - Peaceful Coexistence was a Soviet doctrine that was put forward in the 1950s - that argued peaceful relations with the West were possible
   • Georgi Malenkov 1902-1988
     • Succeeded Stalin as party PM in 1953
       • forced by other members of collective leadership to hand over party post to K
         • 1953-54 M tried to ease tensions with West and boost Soviet consumer industries
           • Was easily outmanoeuvred by K, losing the premiership in 55 and his seat on the Politburo in 1957
             • with his political career over - Malenkov was sent to Kazakhstan to manage a hydroelectric plant

2. Why did the USSR pursue Peaceful Coexistence?

   • Stalin's death and the emergence of a more progressive Soviet leadership are 2 key reasons
   • Soviet leadership believing in the inevitable triumph of communism
     • As Marxists, the Soviet politburo genuinely believed that communism would inevitably triumph over capitalism
       • Sooner or later, the West would be overwhelmed by an economic slump - but until then the USSR could bide its time and avoid any damaging conflicts
         • K summed up this position by saying "Peaceful Coexistence between difference systems of government is possible, but peaceful coexistence between different ideologies is not"
   • K confident that USSR's economic output would soon overtake West
     • 1956 - claimed that, since 1929, Soviet industrial production had risen by 1.95% - Corresponding figure for USA was 1.34%
       • K also favoured P.C due to what he called 'the disintegration of the imperialist colonial system'
         • In his view - newly decolonised states and national liberation movements would reject the imperialist West and look to USSR for support
   • Consolidation of Influence
     • By end of 40s, both sides had consolidated their respective spheres of interest in Europe
       • Each also tacitly recognised the other's area of influence
         • This gave the superpowers a greater sense of security - made them more willing to negotiated
   • Implications of the arms race
     • Economic and military implications of the nuclear arms race, which gathered pace in 40s, provided another reason for P.C
       • Cost and sheer destructive power of nuclear weapons had sobering effect on superpowers
         • As K said 'There are only two ways - either peaceful coexistence or the most destructive war in history. There is no third way'

3. Key Measures of Soviet Peaceful Coexistence

   • End of Korean War July 1953
     • After Stalin's death - new leadership moved rapidly to bringing fighting in Korea to an end
       • Change of policy abandoned Stalin's hardline approach of 1952 of continuing the conflict
         • decision influenced by Soviet concerns of the economic impact of prolonging the war
           • Represented clear sign that new govt wanted to manage affairs in a different way to Stalin
             • As Malenkov put it 'there is no dispute or outstanding issue, which cannot be settled peacefully'
               • Armistice was negotiated along 38th parallel in July 53
   • Cuts in the Red Army (from mid 1950s)
     • K reduced conventional forces partly to convince the West of his peaceful intentions
       • 2nd half of 50s, size of Red Army decreased from 5.8mil to 3.7mil men
         • Further cuts of 33% were announced in early 60s
           • K also did it to save on military costs - was convinced nuclear weapons afforded USSR much better protection
   • Austrian State Treaty 1955
     • Like Germany, Austria had been placed under joint occupation by the big 4 in 1945
       • Subsequent talks between the big 4 failed to settle Austria's future
         • USSR extracted resources from their Austrian zone and USA secretly rearmed their zone and supported it with Marshall Aid
           • After overcoming Malenkov's resistance in 54- K was ready to accept a neutral rather than divided Austria
             • Hoped west would see this as proof of his willingness to negotiate on key issues
               • Result was Austrian state treaty of 1955
                 • Agreement signed by big 4 - removed all foreign troops and guaranteed Austrian independence and neutrality
                   • treaty paved way for Geneva summit of 55 and marked first occasion since 45 that Soviet troops had willingly left any part of Europe
   • Soviet withdrawal from Finland 1956
     • Finnish Soviet treaty 1947 - formally ended conflict which had taken place during WW2
       • Under its terms - Finland handed over border territory and $300million in reparations to USSR
         • USSR also given 50 year lease to the Porkkala peninsula where it kept a naval base
           • K decided to remove Soviet influence from Porkkala - was handed back in 1956
             • K wanted West to see this as further evidence that USSR wanted a more constructive relationship
               • however, Porkkala did have little strategic value and Finland pledged to remain neutral and outside NATO
   • Other Soviet Initiatives
     • 1953 - settled border disputes with Turkey and Iran - reestablished relations with Greece - formally recognised Israel
     • 1955 - recognised West Germany and restored relations with Tito's Yugoslavia