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Treaty of Versailles Signed with Germany
The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I and imposed severe penalties on Germany, including reparations at 132b gold marks. The treaty also established the League of Nations to promote peace. Many Germans viewed the treaty as harsh and humiliating, leading to deep resentment.
This event is important for understanding why there was dissatisfaction with the peace settlements of 1919-1920, as the treaty's harsh terms fueled tensions that contributed to future conflicts. -
Aaland Islands Dispute
The Åland Islands, between Sweden and Finland, became a territorial dispute after Finland gained independence in 1917. Sweden and Finland both claimed the islands, but the League ruled in favor of Finland while ensuring protections for the Swedish population. This was one of the League’s early successes in conflict resolution.
This event demonstrates the League of Nations' success during the 1920s, as it resolved a territorial dispute peacefully, setting an example for future interventions. -
Washington Naval Conference
This international conference aimed to limit the navies of major world powers and ease tensions in East Asia. The resulting treaties established ship tonnage limits and stopped battleship construction for 10 years. Although it reduced tensions in the Pacific, it did not prevent future military buildups.
This event relates to attempts to improve international relations from 1924-1929, as it was an effort to prevent future conflicts through disarmament, though it was not effective long-term. -
Rapallo Pact Between Germany and USSR
Germany and the USSR signed the Treaty of Rapallo, normalizing their relations and secretly agreeing to military cooperation. This allowed Germany to ignore the Treaty of Versailles’ rules by developing military technology in Russia. This worried Westerners, as it showed Germany’s willingness to defy Versailles.
This event is key to understanding why international tensions remained high from 1920-1923, as it exposed weaknesses in the post-war treaties and increased fears of future conflict. -
Ruhr Crisis
When Germany failed to make reparation payments, France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr. The occupation led to resistance from German workers, causing hyperinflation and economic downfall. The crisis intensified tensions between Germany and France and highlighted the weaknesses of the post-war settlement.
This event demonstrates why there was dissatisfaction with the peace settlements of 1919-1920, as the harsh reparations led to economic instability and worsened international relations. -
Dawes Plan
The Dawes Plan restructured Germany’s reparations payments to make them more manageable and provided loans from the U.S. to stabilize Germany’s economy. It helped Germany recover economically and reduced tensions between Germany and Western nations. However, it left Germany dependent on American financial support.
This event relates to attempts to improve international relations from 1924-1929, as it temporarily eased tensions and stabilized Germany’s economy, but still had unresolved issues. -
Locarno Conference
The Locarno Treaties marked a turning point in European foreign policy, as Germany, France, and Belgium agreed to respect their Versailles borders. Britain and Italy acted as backers. While it improved Western-European relations, it did not address Germany’s eastern borders, leaving Poland and Czechoslovakia vulnerable.
This event was a major success in improving international relations from 1924-1929, as it helped Germany regain their stance and reduced the risk of war in Western Europe. -
Germany Joins the League of Nations
The League of Nations initially excluded Germany as they were at fault for war. The German government under Stresemann saw their membership as a way of establishing Germany as a major power. The Locarno Conference paved the way for Germany's entry. As a permanent member of the League’s Council, Germany gained influence in global affairs.
This event highlights efforts to improve international relations from 1924-1929, as it represented a step toward peace between Germany and Westerners. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact
Signed by 62 nations, the Kellogg-Briand Pact aimed to outlaw war as a means of resolving disputes. However, the agreement lacked enforcement mechanisms, making it largely ineffective. Despite its optimistic goals, war remained a tool of foreign policy later in the 1930s.
This event relates to attempts to improve international relations from 1924-1929, as it reflected enthusiasm for peace but ultimately failed to prevent future conflicts. -
Young Plan
The Young Plan followed the Dawes plan. It reduced Germany’s total reparations and extended the payment period until 1988. It ended foreign supervision of the German economy, giving them more financial control. The Great Depression made it impossible for Germany to continue payments, and the plan was abandoned in 1932.
This event relates to attempts to improve international relations from 1924-1929, as it was another effort to ease tensions, though economic instability soon hindered its effect.