Topic 5: Diplomacy outside the League

Question 1

What were the international agreements that were made that didn’t involve the league?

Answer 1

• Locarno Treaties, 1925
• Kellogg-Briand pact, 1928
• Washington Arms Conference, 1921-1922
• Rapallo Treaty, 1922

Question 2

What were the Locarno treaties?

Answer 2

Locarno treaties, 1925
- Who: France and Germany, represented by their foreign ministers Briand and Stresemann.
- Where: Locarno, Switzerland
- What: The 2 enemies agreed to work together peacefully. Germany accepted the treaty if Versailles. Other countries like Brit and Italy also signed and each country agreed not to go to war with each other; if one country broke the treaty the others would support the country that was invaded.
- Why wasn’t the league involved: Germany suggested the treaties and they weren’t part of the league.
- Significance of the treaties: It seemed Germany was accepting the ToV, especially the terms about territory and was trying to become a peaceful nation. Relationships between countries had improved, which allowed for Germany to join the LoN. The league should’ve been leading the way on such an important agreement, especially since it involved 2 of the league’s most powerful members: Brit and France.

Question 3

What was the Kellogg-Briand pact?

Answer 3

Kellogg-Briand pact, 1928
-Who: 65 countries, including Germany, France and the USA.
- Where: Paris, France
- What: The countries agreed war wouldn’t be used to solve disputes between them.
- Why wasn’t the league involved: Germany and USA weren’t members.
- Significance of the treaty: The fact the league wasn’t involved made it look like it was a place to talk, not for actual solutions, and this damaged its reputation.

Question 4

What was the Washington Arms Conference?

Answer 4

Washington Arms Conference (Washington Naval Conference), 1921-1922
- What: Major countries like Britain, the USA, Japan and France agreed the maximum size of their navies.
- Why wasn’t the league involved: The league wasn’t the one pushing for disarmament, and countries like Britain and France attended independently of the league.

Question 5

What was the Rapallo Treaty?

Answer 5

Rapallo Treaty, 1922
- What: Germany and Russia agreed to work together.
- Why wasn’t the league involved: The league wasn’t involved as Germany and Russia weren’t members.