Riga axioms.

• A key centre for research on Soviet Union was in Riga, capital of Latvia.

• Latvia was now an independent republic and a safe haven for exiled middle and upper class Russians.

Why is Riga important?

• America did not recognise the new Soviet state but set up a division of the state department to keep them up to date with Russian thinking.

• Attitudes developed in Riga had a profound influence on the policies of the Division of Russian Affairs based in Washington.

• Advice from Riga took the Soviet threat very seriously and warned the USA to be on their guard.

• Great stress was laid on the world revolutionary goals of the Soviet leaders.

• George Kennan was one of the Americans based in Riga. He was immersed in the Russian language and cultural studies and influenced by the non-radical elite of Imperial Russia now in exile.

• Kennan had very definite views on the value of an alliance with Russia

• “Never then nor at any later date did I consider the Soviet Union a fit ally or associate, actual or potential, for this country”

• It was the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 prompted USA to finally recognise USSR.