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Soviet Foreign Policy: 1955

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The Soviet Union between the 19th and the 20th Party Congresses, 1952–1956

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Abstract

These were the domestic problems which the regime had to take into consideration during 1955 as it formulated its diplomacy. The seriousness of the economic situation and the inherent possibility of further political instability were heavy liabilities. What was needed was a period of consolidation. However, it would be mistaken to contend that Soviet foreign policy was dictated solely by these liabilities. On the other side of the ledger it possessed impressive assets. Chief among these was the regime’s remarkably increased subtleness in diplomatic affairs. While the basic goals remained the same, adaptability was made the key to success. The technique initiated during the previous year and a half of playing on Western shortcomings was polished to perfection, giving Russia’s foreign policy a finesse which it had not had in the past. Using a diplomatic sleight-of-hand, Moscow focussed the spotlight of world attention upon European politics while it stepped up its efforts to convert Asia, the Middle East, and Africa to Communism.

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  1. De Kalb, Illinois, USA

    George Daniel Embree

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© 1959 Springer Science + Business Media B.V.

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Embree, G.D. (1959). Soviet Foreign Policy: 1955. In: The Soviet Union between the 19th and the 20th Party Congresses, 1952–1956. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9550-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9550-8_5

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  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-8713-8

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