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Joseph Edward DaviesAmerican diplomat, US Ambassador to the USSR
Date of Birth: 29.11.1878
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Joseph E. Davies: American Diplomat and Soviet Ambassador
- Legal Career and Political Ambitions
- Federal Commissioner and Advisor
- Mission to Moscow
- Post-Ambassadorship and Wartime Advocacy
- Controversial Defenders of Stalin
Joseph E. Davies: American Diplomat and Soviet Ambassador
Early Life and EducationJoseph Edward Davies was born in Wales in 1876 to an immigrant father and a devout mother. His father's death at a young age left a lasting impact on him, while his maternal uncle became a significant figure in his upbringing.
Davies excelled academically, graduating with honors from the University of Wisconsin in 1898. He went on to earn a law degree from the same institution in 1901.
Legal Career and Political Ambitions
Davies's successful legal practice in Watertown, Wisconsin, earned him substantial wealth. By the age of 35, he had developed a keen interest in politics. In 1912, he joined the Democratic party's National Committee and played a pivotal role in President Woodrow Wilson's 1912 campaign.
Federal Commissioner and Advisor
Wilson appointed Davies as Commissioner of Corporations in 1913 and later Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission in 1915. He served in these positions until 1918, simultaneously contributing to the war effort as a member of the War Industries Board and providing economic advice to Wilson at the Versailles Peace Conference.
Mission to Moscow
Davies's close friendship with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt led to his appointment as United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1936. He facilitated successful negotiations for a trade agreement between the two nations.
Post-Ambassadorship and Wartime Advocacy
In 1938, Davies became Ambassador to Belgium and Minister to Luxembourg. During World War II, he served as a special assistant to the Secretary of State and played a vital role in coordinating aid to Allied nations.
Davies strongly supported the Soviet Union in its struggle against Nazi Germany, predicting its resilience and advocating for the opening of a second front in Europe. He attended three show trials in Moscow, viewing them as necessary to protect the country from internal and external threats.
Controversial Defenders of Stalin
Davies's book "Mission to Moscow" (1942), in which he defended Stalin's policies, and the subsequent film adaptation in 1943, sparked controversy in the United States. However, his advocacy for the Soviet Union during the war earned him the Order of Lenin from the Soviet government in 1945.
Davies's portrayal of Stalin and his unwavering support for the Soviet Union have been criticized by historians in recent decades. Nevertheless, his role as a diplomat during a tumultuous period in international relations remains significant.
