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Stalin, the western allies and soviet policy towards the Yugoslav partisan movement, 1941–4

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Piffer, T 

Abstract

jats:p This article traces the development of Soviet policy towards the communist partisan movement in Yugoslavia from the German invasion in 1941 to the liberation of the country at the end of 1944. In doing so, it addresses this topic for the first time through the lens of the Soviet decision-making process, following developments across the entire duration of the war. Based on Soviet sources, it shows that, in the context of the shifting balance of forces among the Western Allies, Moscow was ready to put aside the popular front strategy and to encourage local communists to challenge the political order supported by the British and the Americans while the Second World War was still raging. The example of Yugoslavia, however, also shows that this apparently clear strategy covered deep uncertainties on the Soviet side as to the real intentions of the British, the room for manoeuvre enjoyed by Moscow, and the way in which relations with a new communist state in the making should be established. The Soviets were largely successful in their attempt to support Tito while avoiding repercussions for the Great Alliance, although in the long term their achievements backfired. </jats:p>

Description

Keywords

Churchill, Comintern, Popular Front, Second World War, Tito, Yugoslav Partisan Movement

Journal Title

Journal of Contemporary History

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0022-0094
1461-7250

Volume Title

54

Publisher

SAGE Publications
Sponsorship
European Commission (299983)