Alexander Troyanovsky

Alexander Troyanovsky’s early career combined military service and revolutionary politics. Trained at the Voronezh Cadet Corps and Mikhailovsky Artillery School, he served in Manchuria before resigning from the imperial army. Arrest and exile were followed by years abroad. Initially associated with the Bolsheviks, he became a Menshevik during the First World War and was elected to the Constituent Assembly in 1917. He later rejoined the Communist Party and worked in state administration and foreign trade. ¹

After serving as Soviet representative in Japan, Troyanovsky became the first resident Soviet ambassador to the United States following recognition in 1933. Establishing relations did not resolve the disputes over Russian debts, American claims, and access to credit. In June 1935, he discussed a proposed Export-Import Bank arrangement that would reserve part of the interest on new transactions to compensate American claimants. He promised to consult Moscow but warned that other creditor governments might demand the same treatment. ^{2, 3}

His mission also used public events to introduce the Soviet Union to Americans. When Valery Chkalov, Georgy Baydukov, and Alexander Belyakov completed their transpolar flight in 1937, Troyanovsky joined the crew at Vancouver, Washington, where General George Marshall had received them. He brought congratulations from the Soviet and American governments. ²

Troyanovsky returned to Moscow in 1938 after requesting relief on health grounds. He taught at the Higher Diplomatic School, later worked with the Soviet Information Bureau, and continued academic work. He died in 1955. ¹