How did the relationship between the Soviet Union and the West change from 1917 to 1929?

From 1917 to 1929, the relationship between the Soviet Union and the West transformed from initial hostility to cautious engagement.

In 1917, the Bolshevik Revolution led by Vladimir Lenin overthrew the Russian Provisional Government, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union. This event was met with hostility by the West, particularly the United States and Western Europe, who viewed the rise of communism as a threat to their capitalist systems. The West's fear of communism led to the intervention of several Western nations, including the United States, Britain, and France, in the Russian Civil War (1918-1922) on the side of the anti-Bolshevik White Army. This intervention further strained relations between the Soviet Union and the West.

However, by the mid-1920s, the relationship began to change. The death of Lenin in 1924 and the subsequent rise of Joseph Stalin led to a shift in Soviet foreign policy. Stalin was more pragmatic than his predecessor and was willing to engage with capitalist nations if it served Soviet interests. This shift was reflected in the Treaty of Rapallo in 1922, where the Soviet Union and Germany renounced all territorial and financial claims against each other and pledged cooperation. This treaty marked the beginning of a cautious engagement between the Soviet Union and the West.

In 1928, the Soviet Union introduced the first Five-Year Plan, aimed at rapid industrialisation and the collectivisation of agriculture. The West, particularly the United States, saw this as an opportunity for trade and investment. Despite ideological differences, economic pragmatism began to shape the relationship between the Soviet Union and the West.

However, this period of cautious engagement was not without tension. The Soviet Union's aggressive push for industrialisation and collectivisation led to widespread famine and economic hardship, which was criticised by the West. Furthermore, the Soviet Union's continued support for communist movements in Western countries led to suspicion and mistrust.

In conclusion, the relationship between the Soviet Union and the West from 1917 to 1929 was characterised by a shift from initial hostility to cautious engagement. This change was driven by pragmatic considerations on both sides, despite ideological differences and ongoing tensions.