Interwar+Treaties+Essay

Luke Johnson League of Nations Essay December 10, 2009 3. How did the treaties that followed the WWI affect Europe up to 1929? There was an increased amount of nations working together to sort out things peacefully after WWI, in order to prevent another war from occurring. All of the treaties were different in the problems that they solved and the connections that they created, but they all were Instrumental In causing World War II. During the interwar period, the treaties delayed another world war temporarily, but also secured the coming and set the stage for another world war. The Treaty of Rapallo in 1922, between Germany and Soviet Union, was helpful for both countries because of the fact that they arranged cooperation militarily and economically [i]. These countries worked together to strengthen their countries, which in turn kept war from occuring. This proved beneficial for both countries, considering the Soviet Union had always had a poor economy, and Germany’s economy had been devastated by the Treaty of Versailles. It was a way for the new communist Russia to grow and for Germany to help recover from the tight ultimatum set by the Treaty of Versailles [ii]. This treaty also showed the League of Nations that these two countries, who were banned from joining the League of Nations, wanted to work to solve problems peacefully [iii]. The diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union created the chance for Germany to gain access to a big commercial market and a more collaborative military between the two countries. In essence, the Treaty of Rapallo brought good relations and economic relief to both countries, which reduced the chance of war. The Treaty of Rapallo, at the same time, made other countries, specifically the Allies, more intolerant against Germany and Soviet actions that threatened their ideal of collective security. Even though this was a mutual agreement to help each other, the Allies became suspicious of what Germany and the Soviet Union were caballing. This military and economic cooperation, in effect, nullified the Treaty of Versailles ban on Germany’s ability to increase weapons surplus, create more factories for armament, and train more soldiers [iv]. With this, the Allies started to lose their hold over Germany set by the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Rapallo also further distanced any relations set between the Allies and the Soviets; making the Allies more fearful of the spread of communism and Soviet power. The Allied Nations became increasingly frightened of Germany turning Communist, so they increased tensions by forcefully making the Germans pay reparations. This can be seen when the Germans missed payments, so the French took over the Ruhr territory and started taking resources [v]. This Treaty severely threatened relations between the Allies and Germany and the Soviet Union, which led to violence and suspicion. As you can see, the Treaty of Rapallo partially helped relations in Europe in the short term, but it also assisted In the outbreak of another world war to occur. The second treaty I analyzed, was the Locarno Treaties that were drawn up in 1925 between Britain and France, and Germany. This treaty was a major contribution to the increased relations and cooperation in Europe. It led to a new era of peace, and helped end future conflicts between countries [vi]. The main points of these treaties was to secure borders between the French and the Germans, and the Germans and the Belgians. They also stressed that Germany, Britain, France, Belgium, and Italy would only exhibit force in self defense. The treaties also ensured lasting demilitarization of the Rhineland. They also led to smaller agreements between Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia that supported the idea of settling quarrels in a peaceful manner [vii]. Germany was also removed from isolation after these treaties, and it was gaining more rights and respect. Germany was getting back on its feet, had made allies with its former enemies, and had prevented future disputes from occurring. Even though the Locarno Treaties seemed as though it could only have good outcomes, the flaws created many future problems. First, Germany's neighbors to the east, Poland and Czechoslovakia, did not agree with Germany over border lines. This created a problem when Germany wanted to expand, and had already made agreements with the countries that border to the west. Germany was then forced to push out east. If Germany wanted to expand, It had no choice but to invade its neighbors to the east. France had already committed to those countries to protect them had Germany ever attacked. This problem pushed Germany into a corner to move east, which in turn forced France to go against a German invasion [viii]. Another problem that the Locarno Treaties created, is that they left the Treaty of Versailles meaningless without support by other agreements. When this occurred, Germany was freed from the limitations set upon by the Treaty of Versailles. This helped Germany economically, but also freed it from some of the necessary limitations set by the Treaty of Versailles [ix]. Up to 1929, the Locarno Treaties were beneficial for Germany and most of its neighboring countries, but proved fatal for peace in the long term. The final treaty I analyzed, is the Dawes Plan signed in April 1924. It was a plan to change the payment of reparations by Germany to the Allies. It lightened the load of reparations set upon by the harsh ultimatums of the Treaty of Versailles. The reparations were devastating to the German economy, and caused hyper-inflation due to the fact that they had to print off millions of Marks in order to pay the reparations. The Dawes Plan had three objectives: reorganization of German currency with the Rentenmark; international loan to aid Germany, mainly financed by the U.S., and a change of payments for reparations [x]. This greatly helped Germany, and allowed some breathing room for them to rebuild their broken country. This plan was the first recognition by the Allies to help the failing German economy. And with this, it led to better relations between the Allies and Germany, which resulted in the French evacuation of the Ruhr the next year. Germany received a lot of money from American loans and investments. This allowed Germany to more easily pay off reparations and the investments led to the expansion of industry which brought money and jobs to the mass unemployed in Germany [xi]. The Dawes Plan was beneficial to the Allies and Germany, and created closer relationships between them. The Dawes Plan was nearly perfect for Germany in the short term, but a few things caused by the Dawes Plan eventually led to harsher times for Germany. First, no set amount was ever mentioned in the agreement, which led to Germany resentment of reparations and the Allies. This could cause a German uprising against reparations, which would cause another world war. The Dawes Plan was not good for the future of Germany and Europe. With the Dawes Plan, it set up loans and investments mainly from the United States. Germany’s economy was solely dependent on the flourishing U.S. economy. The devastation occurred when the U.S. stock market fell in October of 1929, and the whole country went into peril. With the Americans reluctant to loan or invest, Germany’s economy soon fell. After this, the Germans couldn’t pay the reparations, which led to more Allied resentment of Germany and more hostile relations [xii]. The Dawes Plan did ease the pressure on the German economy set by the reparations, but in the end it proved fatal towards the survival of Germany. These three treaties did help out Europe’s relations between itself in the short term, but it ultimately ended with WWII coming with no way to stop it. They also further divided and made countries starving for revenge for the wrongs done to them (1293).

[1]    Nation. //International Relations Section//. New York: Nation, 1920. Print. pg. 1.    [1]     Cannon. "The League of Nations." //20th Century World History: Course Companion//. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2009. 52-74. Print. pg. 54    [1]    ibid. pg. 53    [1]     Cannon. "The League of Nations." //20th Century World History: Course Companion//. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2009. 52-74. Print. pg. 54    [1]    ibid. pgs. 60-61    [1]     Wolfson, Robert, and John Laver. //Years of Change European History 1890-1990//. 3rd ed. London: Hodder, 2001. Print. pg. 288.    [1]     Layton, Geoff. //Weimar and the Rise of Nazi Germany//. 3rd ed. London: Hodder, 2005. Print. pg. 88.    [1]     Wolfson, Robert, and John Laver. //Years of Change European History 1890-1990//. 3rd ed. London: Hodder, 2001. Print. pg. 289.    [1]     Cannon. "The League of Nations." //20th Century World History: Course Companion//. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2009. 52-74. Print. pgs. 62-63.    [1]      Layton, Geoff. //Weimar and the Rise of Nazi Germany//. 3rd ed. London: Hodder, 2005. Print. pgs. 86-87.    [1]    ibid. pg. 87.    [1]     Layton, Geoff. //Weimar and the Rise of Nazi Germany//. 3rd ed. London: Hodder, 2005. Print. pg. 87.