Disarmament in the 1920s and 1930s Flashcards
Why was disarmament considered to be important?
If countries had smaller armies, there was a smaller chance they would go to war.
It was also one of the League of Nation’s key aims.
Why was disarmament important to European peace especially?
Germany had been forced to disarm but no other great power had. The longer this double standard continued, the more bitter Germany would become.
What was agreed in 1921 at the Washington Conference?
That the USA, Japan, Britain and France would limit the size of their armies.
However, limiting is not the same as disarming.
During the 1920s, why did disarmament seem to be becoming less important?
A number of international treaties had been signed that showed improved relations between countries e.g.
1924 Dawes Plan was helping rebuild Germany’s economy
1925 Locarno Pact showed Germany accepted its post-WWI western borders
1926 Germany joined the League
1928 - Kellogg-Briand Pact - 65 countries agreed to peacefully resolve disputes
Why did the economic recovery during the 1920s help make the world more peaceful?
Economic recovery led to increased trade between countries.
When countries trade with each other, they are less likely to go to war as it is in neither of their economic interests.
Why was there increasing pressure in the 1930s for the League to act on disarmament?
1) The Manchurian Crisis had highlighted the urgent need for disarmament
2) The League had done little in the 1920s - the Germans were getting annoyed at the double standard
3) The Depression was bringing to power more militaristic leaders (e.g. in Japan and Germany)
When was a Disarmament Conference finally held?
1932
What did Germany propose at the beginning of the 1932 Disarmament Conference?
That all countries disarm to Germany’s level
Why did Germany’s proposal for disarming to their level fail?
The conference could not agree what was meant by ‘equality’. Germany walked out the conference (July 1932).
By 1933, agreement had been reached about how to treat Germany. Why did this not work in the end?
Hitler had come to power in late January 1933. He began to rearm in secret and demanded all countries ‘destroyed their arms’ in five years.
When this failed to pass, Hitler walked away from the Conference.
By the end of 1933, why was disarmament looking very unlikely?
1) Hitler had walked away from the Conference.
2) Hitler had withdrawn Germany from the League of Nations
3) Seeing Hitler was rearming, the other nations also began to rearm
When did the Disarmament Conference finally finish?
1934 - it achieved essentially nothing
What minor success was achieved in 1935?
The 1935 Anglo-German Naval Agreement
What did the 1935 Anglo-German Naval Agreement state?
Germany could rebuild its navy but it could only be 35% the size of the British navy
Why did the 1935 Anglo-German Naval Agreement cause some tension between Britain and France?
Britain had not consulted France before signing it.
