American diplomats on a rendezvous with Soviet policy and russian culture (1941–1945)

Abstract

The article studies the activity of American diplomats in the USSR during World War II, the protagonist being Llewellyn Thompson (1904–1972), who worked for the US Embassy between February 1941 and October 1944. The period was marked by the activity of three American ambassadors, with several diplomats acting as Chargé d’Affaires. Referring to a number of previously unknown documents in the Central Archive of the Security Service of the Russian Federation, it has become possible to consider some of the peculiarities of American diplomats’ service in the Soviet Union during World War II. The historical sources create an image of this diplomat that reflects his sincere love for Russian culture, a deep sympathy for the suffering of the Russian people, and intensive activity to establish connections between the two countries. The first part of the article (Quaestio Rossica. 2016. Iss. 1) discusses Thompson’s career prior to the Great Patriotic War (his arrival in the USSR and work for the Embassy). The second part of the article focuses on Thompson’s work after the US Embassy’s return from evacuation. The diplomat took part in a number of major meetings with Soviet leaders, representatives of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, and the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Trade, as well as the preparation of materials for international conferences. Archival materials describe events around the opening of the second front. At that time, American diplomats’ actions and statements attracted special interest.