The Locarno Treaty

Overview of the Locarno Treaty Locarno Conference: October 5 – October 16, 1925 Formally signed in London on December 1, 1925 Health resort in Switzerland Between five countries Germany, France, Belgium, Britain, Italy Seven agreements “Rhineland Pact” – the main pact Treaty of Mutual Guarantee (aka 'The Locarno Pact')

Main Representatives Germany France Belgium Britain Italy Gustav Stresemann France Aristide Briand Belgium Émile Vandervelde Britain Austen Chamberlain Italy Benito Mussolini The most important figures in the treaty: Gustav Stresemann and Aristide Briand. Stresemann sent out the proposal of the Locarno Treaty on 9 February to the other nations. For several months neither Britain nor France responded to these proposals. Aristide Briand, the new French foreign minister, first urged that they should meet with Germany in spring of 1925.

Purpose of the treaty Allies and the new states wanted to secure the Treaty of Versailles post-war territorial settlement Solidify Germany’s borders with Belgium and France Promised to normalize relations with Germany Ease worldwide post war tension Ease tension by guaranteeing boundaries of Germany, Belgium, and France as specified in the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

Terms of the Treaty Belgium, France & Germany accepted promised to respect their joint frontiers Ultimate cession of Alsace-Lorraine Demilitarization of the left bank of the Rhine Britain and Italy acted as the guarantors Germany allowed to enter the League of Nations In case of Germany's occupation of the demilitarized zone military action might be taken in response Germany signed agreements with Poland and Czechoslovakia providing for negotiation over possible disputes But Germany didn’t accept its eastern borders No guarantor for eastern part of the Locarno Treaties France signed treaties with Poland and Czechoslovakia Belgium, France and Germany accepted western borders of Germany including the demilitarized zone in the Rhineland ‘Flagrant’ breaches of the treaty, by either France, or Belgium or Germany, would require Britain and Italy to intervene Germany agreed to sign arbitration treaties with Poland and Czechoslovakia, committing itself to settle disputes with her eastern neighbors peacefully.

Short term ramifications Tension between Allies & Germany finally resolving High point of Franco-German relations before WWII Resulted in peace and “make ups” all over Europe France and Britain France and Germany 1925: Locarno Spring Locarno Treaties seen as the source of the improved western European diplomatic climate of 1924-1930 Introduced a hope for international peace, or the "spirit of Locarno". Resulted in a sense of excitement and optimism 1926: Germany invited to join the League of Nations 1927: Control of Germany's disarmament stopped France and Britain could reunite over the differences that drove them apart (how to deal with Germany) Step towards Franco-German reconciliation Reconciliation between France and Germany referred to as the ‘Locarno honeymoon’ This spirit was seen in Germany's admission to the League and in the subsequent withdrawal (completed in June 1930) of Allied troops from Germany's western Rhineland. In both 1925 and 1926 the Nobel Peace Prize was given to the lead negotiators of the treaty, going to Sir Austen Chamberlain in 1925 and jointly to Aristide Briand and Gustav Stresemann in 1926,

Long term ramifications People were confident that prosperity and peace were in the future after Locarno 1928: Kellogg-Briand pact signed Inspired by the success of the Locarno Treaty 1930: Germany was an independent state again Germany could start to grow economically again without being a threat to Western Europe People were confident that prosperity and peace were in the future after Locarno because of the Economic success during the 1920’s, the failure of Communism to spread, and Germany’s acceptance of the Versailles Treaty.

Long term ramifications cont. The Wolf Germany’s eastern borders weren't been set; Britain refused to guarantee Germany’s eastern borders Germany could change eastern borders with little objection from Allies Germany was still tied with USSR in Treaty of Rapallo Could still avoid disarmament that was imposed on it This contemporary but prophetic cartoon appeared in the "News Chronicle" and graphically illustrates the threat to Czechoslovakia after Hitler marched his troops into Austria

Long term ramifications cont. 1930: Hitler rises to power after Stresemann's death 1936: Sent troops into the demilitarized Rhineland 1938: Invaded Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia 1939: Invaded Poland

Response of other countries

Overall Even though the Locarno Treaty had been successful in bringing about peace, the League of Nations was not strengthened and the collective security remained uncertain

Sources Kearny, Julie. "PRE_1939_4." RootsWeb: Freepages. Web. 09 Oct. 2010. <http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wwtwopics/PRE_1939_4.htm>. Lowe, Norman. Mastering Modern World History. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. Print. "Locarno Pact - Wikisource." Wikisource, the Free Library. 08 Oct. 2010. Web. 09 Oct. 2010. <http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Locarno_Pact>. Simkin, John. "Treaty of Locarno." Spartacus Educational - Home Page. Web. 09 Oct. 2010. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERlocarno.htm>.