Polarisation

Abstract

While Britain, France and the other League Powers were arguing over sanctions against Italy, and Mussolini’s forces were advancing into Abyssinia, another issue arose which carried even deeper implications. Plans for a military alliance between France and the Soviet Union, which appeared almost complete in May 1935, had hung fire for a very long time. After the fall of Laval in January 1936 the new Premier, Albert Sarraut, came under considerable pressure both from domestic critics and from the Soviet Union, to finalise the arrangements which required ratification from the National Assembly. On 27 February 1936, by a majority of more than two to one, the Chamber declared for ratification. Consent of the Senate was still necessary, but this was more or less a foregone conclusion, and on 2 March the French Ambassador told Hitler that his government considered itself already bound by the arrangements.¹