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To: CougarGA7

Stalin’s biggest fear was that the French and British intended to sit out the war behind the Maginot Line, while Stalin and Hitler bled each other to death. Normally Stalin was paranoid, but not this time. You’re not paranoid if your fears are valid.

As Homer posted, Stalin already made up his mind that diplomacy with the allies was a waste of time. He was only going through the motions, hoping that the Germans would offer him a deal, and he could use the sham negotiations with the allies to drive the best possible bargain.

I’ve read a lot about WW2, but as I re-read some books I have on Allied-Soviet wartime diplomacy, it will be interesting to examine whether Stalin’s prejudices against the west continued during the war, or whether he adjusted to changed conditions. Or both.


7 posted on 07/27/2009 10:51:43 AM PDT by henkster (A "Living Constitution" yields a Dead Republic)
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To: henkster
...it will be interesting to examine whether Stalin’s prejudices against the west continued during the war, or whether he adjusted to changed conditions.

I think the answer to your question would be Yes. Especially at the end when everything clearly became a game of border drawing (setting the stage for the Cold War).

8 posted on 07/27/2009 12:12:00 PM PDT by CougarGA7 (If I disagree with you, it is because you are wrong.)
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