Zhang Shengfa

(№.4,2015)

Abstract: To restrain the future possible aggression and expansion of Germany, France and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact in November 1932 and then the Soviet-French Treaty of Mutual Assistance was officially signed in May 1935. However, due to the conflict and difference between the Soviet Union and western countries in terms of ideology and social system, they could not become real partners in the collective security of Europe. After the Munich Agreement was signed in September 1938, the Soviet Union affirmed that the western countries were trying to lead the troubles to the East. In August 1939, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its secret additional protocols were signed between the Soviet Union and Germany. Therefore, at the critical point before the outbreak of war in Europe, the Soviet Union moved on from the security alliance to become a country of self preservation, completing the diversion of troubles to the west. The motive of Stalin’s choice fully conforms to the two strategic objectives of the Soviet Union in foreign policy, i.e. safeguarding national safety and pushing the world revolution.

Keywords: Fascist aggression and expansion; Collective Security; self protection; Stalin; Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact