November 16, 1933:FDR Recognizes Red Russia, Marx Goes to USSR

For years after the Bolsheviks seized power in Russia, the government of the United States had not recognized the Soviet government, but the new administration of Franklin Roosevelt decided that it was time to do so. The following exchange of telegrams, FDR to Maxim Litvinov (pictured below), marked the diplomatic recognition:

The White House, Washington, November 16, 1933

My dear Mr. Litvinov:

I am very happy to inform you that as a result of our conversations the Government of the United States has decided to establish normal diplomatic relations with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and to exchange ambassadors.

I trust that the relations now established between our peoples may forever remain normal and friendly, and that our Nations henceforth may cooperate for their mutual benefit and for the preservation of the peace of the world. I am, my dear Mr. Litvinov,

Very sincerely yours,

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

Washington, November 16, 1933

My dear Mr. President:

I am very happy to inform you that the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is glad to establish normal diplomatic relations with the Government of the United States and to exchange ambassadors.

I, too, share the hope that the relations now established between our peoples may forever remain normal and friendly, and that our Nations henceforth may cooperate for their mutual benefit and for the preservation of the peace of the world.

I am, my dear Mr. President,

Very sincerely yours,

MAXIM LITVINOV

People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs,
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Curiously, one of the immediate effects of the normalization was Harpo Marx's tour of the Soviet Union, which happened shortly afterwards. Aaron Lee, writing about Harpo Marx at Miami University, described the tour (referencing Marx's memoirs, Harpo Speaks (1961)): "In the fall of 1933, Harpo received a call from his by then good friend, Alexander Woollcott: 'I've decided that Harpo Marx should be the first American artist to perform in Moscow after the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. become friendly nations. Think of it!' (Marx, 1961, 297). Woollcott figured that with Harpo's pantomimic capabilities he would be a hit in Soviet Russia; Harpo decided to give it a try.

"After a slight delay with the Soviet customs (they thought Harpo was a spy), Harpo was able to get into Moscow. He was assigned his own personal guide (spy to make sure he wasn't a spy) and given an appointment with the head of the department of Soviet theater to set up some dates for appearances; he wasn't given any. After a week of trying Harpo was ready to leave the country when the Soviet Foreign Minister (Stalin's right-hand man, Litinov) rectified things and got him a Soviet group of actors to put together a show. For the show Harpo would play a harp solo, a sketch with his clarinet and a pantomime piece with the rest of the group.

"Harpo's opening night in Moscow was arguably the best opening night in comedic history. 'I'll be a son of a bitch if I didn't knock them out of their seats... I only had to wiggle an eyebrow to bring the house down.' (Marx, 1961, 317). The Soviet crowd was awestruck. At the end of the show Harpo would make curtain call after curtain call. On the next day, one Soviet critic would write that Harpo had received, 'an unprecedented standing ovation, lasting ten minutes.' (Marx, 1961, 318). Harpo loved every minute of it, 'No other success ever gave me quite the same satisfaction. Besides, it happened on my fortieth birthday.' (Marx, 1961, 318).

"In the six weeks that the show ran in Russia Harpo became a celebrity. The show was an incredible success. Everywhere it played it received the same enthusiastic response it had met in Moscow."