The Jewish Factor in the Relations between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union 1933-1941

by Govrin, Yosef

• ISBN13: 9780853037682
• ISBN10: 085303768X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-01-15
• Publisher: Vallentine Mitchell

Summary

Nazi Germany's foreign policy towards the Soviet Union was carried out in accordance with ideological and political objectives. These were defined and planned well in advance, with a view to a final confrontation for the domination of Europe. This policy regarded 'Jewish Bolshevism' as the main obstacle to securing victory in the coming confrontation, hence its rise and fall constituted a yard-stick in the formulation of Germany's relationship with the Soviet Union. Soviet foreign policy towards Nazi Germany was much more pragmatic. Soviet diplomatic activity was aimed at thwarting the German threat to Soviet territorial integrity and its political regime. By putting ideological principles to one side, belittling the danger of Nazi anti-Semitic policy for Jews themselves and for free Europe in its entirety, and dismissing Jews from senior positions in the Soviet hierarchy they hoped to stave off the conflict. From both the German and the Soviet perspective, the Jewish factor was significant. The purpose of this book is to assess its place and influence upon the mutual relations between the two countries in the years 19331941. The book was originally published in Hebrew by the Magnes Press of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, in 1986. This edition includes additional material published in Russia subsequently and newly revealed Soviet archival sources which were unavailable at the time the Hebrew edition went to press.

Table of Contents

List of Plates	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
The Jewish Factor in German Foreign Policy Towards the Soviet Union
Ideological Principles and Objectives in the Foreign Policy of Nazi Germany	p. 3
The Fight against Judaism and Bolshevism - the Enemies of Nazi Germany	p. 7
Jews and Judaism in Nazi Germany's Policy towards the Soviet Union	p. 14
The Motives behind the Ribbentrop-Molotov Non-Aggression Pact	p. 30
Nazi Germany's Motives for Attacking the Soviet Union	p. 48
Conclusion	p. 59
The Jewish Factor in Soviet Foreign Policy Towards Nazi Germany
Soviet Policy towards Nazi Germany	p. 65
The Soviet Reaction to the Anti-Semitic Policy of Nazi Germany	p. 75
Stalin's Great Purges of Red Army Commanders and Senior Officials in the Soviet Foreign Service - 1937	p. 86
The Dismissal of Maxim Litvinov	p. 102
Conclusion	p. 109
Appendices
German-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression and Secret Additional Protocol, signed in Moscow on 23 August 1939	p. 115
Molotov's Speech, Justifying the Non-Aggression Pact with Germany at the Session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, 31 August 1939	p. 118
Soviet Media Suppresses Reports on the Nazi Crimes and Atrocities in Europe	p. 120
Molotov's Greetings to the German Government, via the German Ambassador in Moscow, on the Occasion of the German Occupation of Warsaw	p. 121
Ribbentrop's Appeal to Molotov, Calling for the Soviet Army to Occupy Eastern Poland	p. 122
Molotov's Reply to Ribbentrop's Appeal for the Soviet Occupation of Eastern Poland	p. 123
Stalin's Announcement to Germany's Ambassador in Moscow on the Soviet Union's Preparedness to Occupy Eastern Poland	p. 124
German-Soviet Boundary and Friendship Treaty	p. 125
Secret Protocol on the Elimination of Mutual Hostile Propaganda between Germany and the Soviet Union	p. 127
Germany's Foreign Minister on the Account of Negotiations that Lead to the Non-Aggression Pact with the Soviet Union	p. 128
Stalin's Reply to Ribbentrop: 'The Soviet Union is interested in the existence of a strong Germany'	p. 130
Molotov: 'Germany is no longer an aggressor'	p. 131
Soviet refusal to accept Jewish refugees who flee from Polish territory occupied by Germany	p. 132
Continued Soviet refusal to accept Jewish refugees who flee from Polish territory occupied by Germany	p. 133
The USSR Congress of People's Deputies on the Political and Legal Appraisal of the Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact, 1939	p. 134
Bibliography	p. 137
Index	p. 141
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