Locarno+Pact

The Locarno Pact was a security pact between nations for Germany's western frontiers. It was proposed by Gustav Stresemann, who even after the introduction of the Dawes Plan, feared that a friendship between England and France could lead to a military alliance. France was at first reluctant about the pact, but Britain and the United States supported it. On October 25, 1925, various treaties were signed to form the Locarno Pact. Its main points were: -A mutual guarantee agreement (an agreement, but not an alliance, of states over a particular issue) of the Franco-German and Belgian-German borders. This was backed by Britain and Italy. All the aforementioned countries agreed against the use of force, unless when in self-defense. -The //permanent// demilitarization of the Rhineland -Arbitration treaties (agreements to accept a decision by a third party in order to settle a dispute) between Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia agreed to solve future conflicts peacefully.

The significance of the Locarno Pact is that Germany was no longer isolated by the Allies - it was once again treated equally. This Stresemann had achieved at very little cost to Germany. He had confirmed the western borders, since Germany was no longer in any position to change the situation, and in doing so, limited France's freedom of action since the occupation of the Ruhr or the possible annexation of the Rhineland was no longer possible. Also, by establishing a good basis for Franco-German understanding lessened France's need to find allies in eastern Europe.

Works Cited Layton, Geoff. __Weimar and the Rise of Nazi Germany.__ 3rd Edition. London. Hodder, 2005.