Enforcement? 4. What were the mechanisms used for the enforcement of the provisions of the treaties: US isolationism—the retreat from the Anglo–American Guarantee; disarmament—Washington, London, Geneva conferences.

Isolationism Americans were determined to maintain distance from foreign entanglements.

Did they actually Isolate? Anglo-French Agreement passed (June 28th 1919) Anglo-American Guarantee (not passed 1921) Washington Naval Conference (1921-2) Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) Geneva Disarmament Conference (1932-4) London Naval Treaty (1936)

British Isolationism The Anglo French Agreement was passed June 28th 1919. This military agreement was initially set up to reduce the geopolitical changes France wanted to impose on Germany. Wilson, and Lloyd George decided to agree to military protection for France if Germany attacked. The senate refused to pass the Anglo-American Guarantee. The failure of America to pass this military agreement pushed Lloyd George to renege on military commitment in the event of German invasion.

British Isolationism V American Isolationism Britain and America have historically been isolationist in their foreign policy. British isolationism can be seen as active, while American isolationism is passive. Britain was not interested in making commitments, but were vocal about being ready to intervene in European affairs if needed. However, they wanted to maintain the ability to focus their attention on their overseas empire. America did not want to be involved in European affairs and made it public that they would avoid any engagements.

US isolationism Our roots in isolationism can be traced back to both George Washington and Thomas Paine who stated that America should avoid “foreign entanglements” At the inception of The United States of America, Europe was ensnared in Monarchies which had a poor history of maintaining peace. The strife in Europe often inspired people to leave and immigrate to the USA. This helped solidify a feeling that America wanted to be “isolated” from the mainland Europe. America also had a historical hemispheric mentality that can be seen in the “Monroe Doctrine”

The Monroe doctrine Was an attempt to prevent any foreign presence in the western hemisphere beyond that already established by 1823. When the doctrine was announced in later years it was extended to give the United States the right to interfere in the internal affairs of nations in the western hemisphere.

Wilsonian visions of International affairs At the end of WWI America was the wealthiest and most powerful economic entity in the world. All allied nations were in her debt and they recognized the utility of the American armed forces in helping end the war. Wilson saw this as an opportunity to make a change in American foreign policy. He used phrases like “making the world safe for democracy.” his vision was expressed in the 14 points and League of nations. The failure of his vision can be understood by the following words by Margaret MacMillan:

Why did America ‘Hate on’ the League of Nations? “The American had complicated attitude towards the Europeans: a mixture of admiration for the past accomplishments, a conviction that the allies would have been lost without the United States and a suspicion that, if the Americans were not careful, the wily Europeans would pull them into their toils again.” –Macmillan, M. 2001. Paris 1919. London, UK. Murray. p. 14.

Requirements for Congress to pass the League The treaty would have required the senate to vote in favor by 2/3 majority. That proved impossible to achieve. No consensus on Americas role post war. The other issue was a partisan issue between republicans and democrats. Wilson being a democrat was opposed to Leader of the Senate Henry Cabot Lodge. The Republicans were also bitter that they were not invited to participate in the discussions at Versailles.

What Else? The United States did not ratify the Anglo-American Guarantee. Republican Warren Harding was elected to the White house in 1921. His slogan was “return to normalcy.” This signified Americas return to a policy of isolationism.

What were the implications of the following: Failure of USA to join the League of Nations. Failure to pass the Anglo-American Guarantee. “Returning to normalcy.” Excluding Republicans from the Versailles delegation

The arms Race? After the war the United States, Great Britain and Japan invested large sums of money to expand their naval fleets. A conference was called to address the cost and the increasing tension between the United States and Japan.

Japan and USA Japan and the US had been suspicious of each other’s intentions in China and the far east for a number of years. This relation became more complicated after the war as Japan gained more territory in China from the defeated Germans. America was concerned that Japan was going to dominate in trade in the south pacific and potentially take over the Philippines. Japan was concerned about American naval expansion and the reluctance of America to recognize her position in Asia.

UK and the old Anglo-Japanese Agreement Great Britain was entangled in this growing conflict as they had the 1902 Anglo-Japanese agreement. They thought the chances of an American-Japanese war was remote but worried them enough to encourage/participate in a disarmament conference. Canada and Australia wanted the UK to back out of their 1902 treaty with Japan in case a war did break out.

Washington Naval Conference The Washington Naval Conference also called the Washington Arms Conference, was a military conference called by President Harding and held in Washington D.C. from Nov. 12 1921 to Feb. 6, 1922. Conducted outside the auspices of the League of Nations, it was attended by nine nations having interests in the pacific ocean and east Asia. The Washington Naval Treaty led to an effective end to building new battleship fleets and those few ships that were built were limited in size and armaments. Numbers of existing capital ships were scrapped. Some ships under construction were turned into aircraft carriers instead.

delegates to the Washington Conference on Naval Disarmament meet at the DAR's Constitution Hall, c. 1922.

The Washington Naval conference (1921-2) Was the most successful of the post-war disarmament conferences, though its successes were limited and not permanent. They decided to: Limit the size of the cruisers and aircraft carriers. Maintain a ratio of naval armaments for USA, UK and Japan as 5:5:3 All nations to destroy battleships until max fleet size permitted was reached. No new battleships were to be constructed for 10 years. Limited construction of bases in the Pacific. This conference also led to 2 major agreements

Washington Naval Agreement The 2 agreements: The Four Power Agreement involved the USA, Japan, the United Kingdom and France. This replaced the Anglo-Japanese alliance and guaranteed the rights of all signatories to possessions in Asia. The agreed to defend each other in case of an attack. The nine Power Agreement confirmed the Open Door for trade in China and guaranteed its territorial integrity. This agreement collapsed with the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931.

What's good? The conference demonstrated progress towards peace. The UK avoided a ruinous naval race that it could not afford after the 1st World War. Anglo-Japanese Alliance ended freeing the UK from a possible entanglement with the USA. Japan had a reduced naval fleet, but the limitations were good for their economy. They also increased security by having the number of US/UK bases out of the Pacific. None within (3000 miles) of Japanese borders. The Us reduced armament spending. Supporting isolationist philosophies. All nations had a positive feeling, which temporarily maintained peace.

What’s Bad Germany and Russia were once again excluded from play time. Both Germany and Russia wanted and were increasing their armaments and this was outside the remit of the Washington Naval agreement.

Effects of the Washington Naval Conference Lessened possibility of naval war in the Far East where Japan & USSR had ideas about expanding into China. The alliance of First World War victors was reaffirmed, despite USA’s isolation policy. Though better international relations resulted, the USSR was not invited to the talks, despite her extensive Far Eastern interests. (USSR was, as yet, not recognized.) Treaty of Rapallo (April 1922) – Signed, 2 months after the Washington Treaty, by Germany and Soviet Russia. They said they would not attack each other and trade links were opened. Both powers were no longed isolated.

was the US actually Isolating? August 27th, 1928 15 nations signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact (Paris Peace Pact), which ‘outlawed war.’ It was the creation of American Secretary of State Frank Kellogg.

Who signed the KB pact? Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, the Irish Free State, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, and the United States

The signatories

What’s the KB Pact all about? Read article from the Office of the Historian.

The London Naval Conference The London Naval Conference of 1930 was the third in a series of meetings whose purpose was to reduce the naval armaments of the major powers. 1st meeting: Washington Conference 1921 2nd meeting: Geneva 1927 (failed to come to agreements The London Naval conference made minor revisions to the ratio of capital ships established at Washington, moving from 5:5:3 for the USA, UK and Japan to 10:10:7. France and Italy refused to participate in agreement. Submarine warfare regulations were established. Subs could not sink ships unless the crew and passengers had been removed to a place of safety. This remained in effect until 1936. The decisions made at this conference were agreed upon because they reduced armaments which were expenses unpopular during the Great Depression.