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Stalin's distrust of Britain and France stemmed primarily from his perception of their actions and intentions in the context of international politics during the interwar period. While the option regarding the lack of assistance in the Spanish Civil War is indeed relevant, the deeper context lies in the broader geopolitical concerns Stalin had regarding Western powers.

During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the Soviet Union under Stalin was an active supporter of the Republican side against the Nationalists led by Francisco Franco. However, Britain and France adopted a policy of non-intervention, which frustrated Stalin. He viewed their refusal to support the Republicans as indicative of a willingness to allow fascism to spread in Europe without resistance.

Moreover, Stalin's past experiences, such as the opposition the Western powers had shown towards the Bolshevik Revolution and the subsequent Russian Civil War, added to his suspicions. Their historical support for anti-Bolshevik forces created a lasting wariness. The distrust was further compounded by the fact that he felt isolated in a world where capitalist ideologies stood in contrast to his communist ideals.

This context of perceived betrayal during the Spanish Civil War and historical enmity helped solidify Stalin's belief that Britain and France were not reliable allies. His fears were that