Germany's international position in 1924-28 Flashcards
What was one clear aim for the Weimar Republic in the years 1919-33?
Revise the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
How did the nationalists argue the treaty of versailles should be revised?
Germany should reject the treaty and rebuild its military strength in preparation for a time when the country could regain lost territory and become a fully independent great power.
What was the policy of fulfilment, often associated with Stresemann?
Involved Germany cooperating with France, Great Britain, the USA and Italy on issues such as reparations payments and removing allied occupation forces from German territory.
Who met for the Locarno Pact (1925)?
Western European powers met at Germany’s suggestion, at a conference in the Swiss city of Locarno. France was suspicious of the move, but eventually agreed to attend along with USA, Britain, and Italy, but not Russia.
What 2 pacts are collectively known as the Locarno pact?
Rhineland Pact and Arbitration Treaties.
Terms of the Rhineland Pact:
-Germany, France and Belgium promised to respect the western frontier.
-Germany agreed to keep troops out of Rhineland.
-Britain and Italy promised to aid Germany, France or Belgium if any were attacked by its neighbours.
Terms of the Arbitration Treaties:
-Germany agreed with France, Belgium, Poland and Czechoslovakia that any dispute between them should be settled by a conciliation committee.
-France signed treaties of ‘mutual guarantee’ with Poland and Czechoslovakia. These said that France would ensure Germany didn’t break the agreement above.
What did they agree at the Locarno Pact regarding the League of Nations?
That any conflicts regarding the western borders should be referred to the League of Nations.
What was the League of Nations?
A permanent forum to states established after WWI to meet and resolve disputes without resorting to war; most states joined the League but USA declined and Germany and Russia were initially excluded.
Due to the Locarno Pact what did Germany now recognise as a loss?
Recognised the western border imposed at Versailles and accepted the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to France and Eupen-Malmedy to Belguim.
What was agreed at the Locarno Pact regarding the Rhineland? What happened because of it?
French agreed to withdraw forces occupying the Rhineland and, although this was initially postponed to Jan 1925 bc of Germany’s refusal to comply with the disarmament obligations imposed at Versailles, it was achieved over the next 5 years without Stresemann giving any sign Germany would disarm.
What did Stresemann regard as his greatest achievement?
Locarno pact and he was rewarded by Germany’s acceptance into the league of nations as a permanent member of the council.
When was the Locarno pact?
October 1925
Who disliked Stresemann for his agreement in the Locarno Pact?
Nationalists as he was appeasing the allies and giving to much away.
What were the differences between Russia and Germany’s reaction to their individual revolutions in 1917 and 1918 respectively?
USSR became the first individual communist state, in which the rights of the individual were subordinated to those of the state.
Germany adopted a democratic system of government, which guaranteed individual freedom.
Similarities between Russia and USSR post-WWI:
-Both had been defeated and suffered from punitive peace treaties
-Both felt that the existence of an independent Poland was a threat for their security.
-Both were treated as ‘outcast’ nations by the victorious powers and were not allowed to join League of Nations
Who negotiated what treaty with Russia in April 1922?
Walther Rathenau, Treaty of Rapallo..
What were the terms of the Treaty of Rapallo?
-Germany and Russia resumed trade and economic cooperation
-Diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored
-All compensation claims were dropped
-Germany was allowed to develop new weapons and train pilots in Russia away from scrutiny of Allied powers.
Who were angered by the Treaty of Rapallo?
Allies, particularly France, as it showed Germany’s intention to get around the disarmament terms of Versialles and its refusal to accept its eastern frontier with Poland.
What treaty was renewed in April 1926?
Germany and USSR renewed the Treaty of Berlin.
What did they add to the Treaty of Berlin in April 1926?
Germnay would remain neutral if the USSR were to be involved in a war, as long as the USSR was not the aggressor.
What was Germany’s army limited to under the Treaty of Versailles?
100,000 men and no airforce, its navy was prevented from hvaing submarines and large battleships.
What was an Inter-allied Control Commission?
It was established in Germany to monitor their disarmament.
How did General Von Seeckt ensure the Reichswehr found ways of getting around the limit on army size?
Most recruits to the army were enlisted for short periods, during which they would receive intensive military training. This ensured they would have highly trained men who could be recalled to the army at short notice.
What pact did Germany sign in 1928 with France and the USA?
Kellogg-Briand Pact.
Who drew up the Kellogg-Briand Pact and what did it entail?
Frank Kellogg, American secretary of state, and Aristide Braind, the Foreign Minister of France, drew up an international agreement under which states would agree to renounce the use of offensive wars to resolve disputes.
The removal of foreign forces from German soil was an aim shared by all German parties. When was this achieved by?
Stresemann’s policy of fulfilment secured this objective by 1930.
Who were the most hesitant allies to withdraw from Germany?
France, concerned for their own security and suspicious of Germany’s willingness to comply with the Treaty of Versialles.
