British policy towards Russian refugees in the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution
This thesis examines British government policy towards Russian refugees in the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution and the Civil War in Russia. As a consequence of these two events, approximately one million Russians opposing the Bolshevik rule escaped from Russia. The Russian refugee problem was one of the major political and humanitarian problems of inter-war Europe, affecting both individual countries of refuge, as well as the international community as a whole. The League of Nations had been formed in 1919 in order to promote international peace and security. The huge numbers of refugees from the former Russian Empire, on the other hand, were seen as a threat to the international stability. Consequently, the member states of the League for the first time recognised the need for international co-operative efforts to assist refugees, and the post of High Commissioner for Russian Refugees was established under the auspices of the League. Significantly, this action marked the beginning of the international refugee regime; the active co-operation of states in the field of refugee assistance. European countries, in addition to international co-operative efforts on behalf of Russian refugees, also took individual
Multanen, Elina Hannele
Bolshevik; Civil war
British policy towards Russian refugees in the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution. This thesis examines British government policy towards Russian refugees in the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution and the Civil War in Russia. As a consequence of these two events, approximately one million Russians opposing the Bolshevik rule escaped from Russia. The Russian refugee problem was one of the major political and humanitarian problems of inter-war Europe, affecting both individual countries of refuge, as well as the international community as a whole. The League of Nations had been formed in 1919 in order to promote international peace and security. The huge numbers of refugees from the former Russian Empire, on the other hand, were seen as a threat to the international stability. Consequently, the member states of the League for the first time recognised the need for international co-operative efforts to assist refugees, and the post of High Commissioner for Russian Refugees was established under the auspices of the League. Significantly, this action marked the beginning of the international refugee regime; the active co-operation of states in the field of refugee assistance. European countries, in addition to international co-operative efforts on behalf of Russian refugees, also took individual
british_policy_towards russian refugee aftermath bolshevik revolution examines british_government policy_towards russian refugee aftermath bolshevik revolution civil_war russia consequence event russians oppose bolshevik rule escape russia russian refugee problem one_major political humanitarian problem inter_war europe affect individual country refuge well international community whole league_nations form order promote international peace security huge number refugee former russian_empire hand see threat international stability consequently member_state league first_time recognise need international co_operative effort assist refugee post high commissioner russian establish auspex league significantly action mark_begin international refugee regime active co_operation state field refugee assistance european_country addition international co_operative effort behalf russian refugee also take individual