The US congress and russian-american relations on the eve and during the first world war

Abstract

The article examines the features of the US Congress policy towards Russia on the eve and in the early years of the First World War. Based on the archival materials of the Congress the authors explain the reasons why negative dynamics in bilateral US-Russia relations in 1911-1913 prevailed and the ways partners were slowly seeking to overcome it just on the eve and at the beginning of the war. It is noted that the key role in whipping up anti-Russian sentiments in American public opinion and their broadcasting into the political, environment, including Congress, was played by Russian origin immigrant groups. The later consisted of people who left the Russian Empire because of prosecution and other political reasons, so they were trying to revenge Сzarist regime with support of that part of the American entrepreneurial class that viewed Russia as a direct a competitor to the United States on the world markets. However, the problem of protecting the rights of minorities as a matter of bilateral ties between Washington and St. Petersburg had to not only economic, but also ideological reasons. The American political environment developed under the influence of strong isolationist sentiments, part of which was hostility to the European empires, namely, as all these powers, including Russia and their alliances appeared to be guilt in unleashing the war. Antimonarchist sentiments were reflected in the nature of US foreign policy, especially in those aspects that directly affected the competence of the Congress (military supplies, immigration laws). As strong supporters of republicanism, liberty and democracy, American lawmakers, failed to grasp the importance of supporting the Russian Сzarist government, especially in the most difficult early years of the war. The anti-Russian sentiment of the Congress was overcome only by the February revolution of 1917. However, strengthening relations with democratic but weak provisional government of Russian Republic could no longer create a solid foundation for relations between the two countries, leading them to a state of affairs later named by historians as the "First Cold War".