On November 16, 1933, the United States formally recognized the Soviet Union and established diplomatic relations after years of nonrecognition. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration saw potential benefits in opening trade and dialogue, especially during the Great Depression and a tense global climate. The agreement included understandings about propaganda and religious freedom, though these proved difficult to enforce. Recognition allowed ambassadors to be exchanged and embassies opened in Washington and Moscow. The move did not end ideological distrust, but it created channels for communication that would be important during later crises. It marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward acknowledging the Soviet state’s permanence.
