Subject File: USSR

File contains papers relating to Platts-Mills' work to promote British cultural relations with the Soviet Union. Following Russia's entry into WWII Winston Churchill personally charged Platts-Mills with the task of changing public opinion in favour of the Soviet Union. Platts-Mills was fundamental in the establishment of the Anglo-Soviet Youth Friendship Alliance and served as chairman in the early years. He went on to become chairman of the British Soviet Friendship Society after the war but resigned in the 1980s in order to be readmitted to the Labour Party. He was also heavily involved in the Society for Cultural Relations with the USSR. Papers include correspondence, circulars, newsletters, printed material, publications, notes, articles and writings, etc. This file has been divided into the following sub-files for ease of access: Part 1 - Anglo-Soviet Youth Friendship Alliance, 1941-1945; Part 2 - British-Soviet Friendly Society correspondence and committee papers, 1951-1963; Part 3 - British-Soviet Friendly Society notes, articles and publications, 1951-1963; Part 4 - Society for Cultural Relations with the USSR, 26 Jul 1944-12 May 1994; Part 5 - USSR Visit Photographs, c.1953; Part 6 - Articles for Soviet Press including Sovietskaya Kultura, 1950-1962; Part 7 - Sovietskaya Kultura, 1957-1958; Part 8 - Miscellaneous Publications, 1933-1990; Part 9 - Miscellaneous Correspondence, 11 Dec 1950-27 Nov 1998; Part 10 - USSR Visit Photograph Album, mid 20th cent.

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