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Molotov pp 166–186Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

The Nazi-Soviet Pact and After 1939–1941

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Part of the book series: Studies in Russian and East European History and Society ((SREEHS))

Abstract

Molotov became preoccupied with foreign affairs from the time of his appointment as head of Narkomindel, although he remained Sovnarkom chairman until 1941. The significance of his new duties was evident at the Central Committee plenum, March 1940 where his contribution was limited to foreign policy.1 The rise of Nikolai Voznesenskii as Gosplan chairman, his promotion to Sovnarkom first vice-chairman in March 1941, when he replaced Molotov as chairman of the Ekonomicheskii Sovet (Economic Council), the successor body to STO as Sovnarkom’s main standing committee, confirms Molotov’s preoccupation with foreign affairs. It was also apparent in his lack of prominence at the XVIII Party Conference, February 1941, where he said nothing following Malenkov’s report that criticised the work of the commissariats, or in support of Voznesenkii’s report on planning.2

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Russian and East European Studies, The University of Birmingham, UK

    Derek Watson (Honorary Research Fellow)

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© 2005 Derek Watson

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Watson, D. (2005). The Nazi-Soviet Pact and After 1939–1941. In: Molotov. Studies in Russian and East European History and Society. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230514522_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230514522_11

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-349-39109-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-230-51452-2

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