Twenty Years' Crisis Flashcards
When was the Locarno Pact signed and by whom?
Signed 1st December 1925 by France, Italy, Belgium, Great Britain and Germany
What were the three main aims of the Locarno Pact?
- To secure the borders of Europe after WW1: Germany agreed to border with France and as a result France agreed to be in a state of peace with Germany
- To ensure the permanent demilitarization of the Rhineland: key condition for France to avoid further conflict with Germany
- To begin negotiations to allow Germany into the League of Nations
What did the Locarno Pact mean for Anglo-French relations?
By guaranteeing France’s frontier, Britain alleviated French concern, boosting their confidence in the British while at the same time deterring Germany from more military action
Why was Chamberlain keen to calm France?
Calming Germany meant calming France first, not once, but continually, as Chamberlain viewed their erratic state the biggest threat to Europe at the time.
What was Britain’s Locarno era defence doctrine?
“Systematic strategic policy” / Dissuasion:
Defence planning and appropriation were to be based on rational threat evaluation. Germany posed no military threat, and the current international climate did not indicate any threat to the Empire - the world order was stable and therefore the likelihood of war was low
What composited the basic elements of Britain’s world position? How did this affect defence policies?
The stability and growth of the economy and Britain’s international trade were vital ingredients of imperial power
Current defence expenditures weakened the economy and at the time, a weak economy was perceived as more of a “security” threat than a de-mobilized army
When was the Final Protocol?
October 1925
What is the Treaty of Mutual Guarantee?
Part of the 7 Locarno Treaties:
Between Germany, Britain, Italy, Belgium & France
To create stable and permanent conditions between Germany and her two Western neighbours
Article 2:
“Germany and Belgium, and Germany and France, mutually undertake that they will in no case attack or invade each other or resort to war against each other.”
Article 4: “All signatories to the Treaty will come to the aid of the power attacked if the Treaty is violated”
How much land did Germany lose to the Versailles treaty?
13% of territory, 10% of population
What were the conditions for the German army following the Treaty of Versailles?
No air force, tanks, general staff and only 115,000 men
How much money was Germany expected to pay in reparations according the to Treaty of Versailles?
£2,500,000,000 - less than an initial German offer of £5,000,000,000 demonstrating leniency on behalf of the allies
When was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
1928
What was the aims of the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
Between 62 countries which included Germany as an equal pact
Aim to end countries using war to settle disagreements - included the US, not a member of the League of Nations, who wanted to secure peace
Supported by moderate German parties but despised by extremist parties
Did not reverse any sanctions placed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles
What was significant about the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
Germany included equally
Germany showed as a power that could be trusted and respected
What is the “orthodox” interpretation of appeasement? Why is this so? (3)
That Chamberlain and his men were guilty. This was supported by those such as Winston Churchill.
- Underestimation of Nazism
- Refusal to educate the public on Hitler’s expansionist policies
- Failure to rearm adequately
What do revisionists argue about appeasement?
That it was the only option. This is due to restrictions on foreign and domestic policy. These restrictions came politics, finance, empire, economic and culture.
Given worldwide imperial connections and limited resources, appeasement seemed the best option.
What does Sidney Aster recognize about the restraints of appeasement?
Aster recognizes structural restraints to a certain extent, but takes into account policy and personality constraints and structures
What was the public opinion in regards to appeasement?
Public opinion appears to be that appeasement fuels the aggressor - the legacy left by this- e.g. Popularity of the book “Guilty Men” published in 1940
What does Aster name as the basic argument towards Chamberlain, MacDonald and Baldwin administrations?
They failed in their responsibility to rearm efficiently for a three front war in Europe: Europe, The Mediterranean, and the Far East. The public at this time were misled by state preparedness. They were blind to the aggressive nature of Fascism and Nazism. Parliamentary majorities from the 1930s employed to enforce foreign policy against public will.
What were some of the public criticisms of the government?
The Left Book Club and a series of “Penguin Specials” criticized the government before the outbreak of war
Why did the orthodox attitude to appeasement strengthen?
As the war went on and the Nazi’s true colours emerged, the orthodox attitude to appeasement became stronger. Enforced by Winston Churchill as historian.
What does Elizabeth Wisnemann say about appeasement?
Appeasement was futile as Hitler was “insatiable”
What does Rothstein argue?
That Anglo-Russian alliance would have destroyed Fascism - but Britain were blinded by class hatred and determination to turn Germany against the USSR
What does Medlicott say about English resources?
“England’s huge responsibilities around the world vastly exceeded her resources”
