1-WWI+Locarno


 * // What caused the Locarno Conference in 1925? What were its objectives? //**

In 1925, delegates from Germany, France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Italy, and Poland met in Locarno Switzerland. The main objective of this conference was to establish an agreement that would ameliorate tensions between France and Germany, which had persisted after WWI. Both countries feared the other and the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 had left Germany especially vulnerable to invasion by France as shown in France’s 1923 occupation of Ruhr (German territory). The Locarno treaties also sought to firmly establish some conditions of the Treaty of Versailles and alter some aspects of it. In addition,the Locarno Conference also brokered Germany’s entrance into the League of Nations.

//** To what extent were the Locarno treaties consistent with the Treaty of Versailles? To what extent were they inconsistent? **//

In order to prevent hostility between France and Germany, the Locarno Treaties mandated the strict adhesion to the western German borders as set by the Treaty of Versailles. This ensured that neither France nor Germany would be able to encroach on the other’s territory. The idea was to reassure both countries that each would not be allowed to take invasive military action against the other. This was important because France was still outraged by the German invasions during WWI and Germany felt that the French occupation of Ruhr was an attack on its sovereignty.Although Locarno did support this aspect of the Treaty of Versailles, the intention behind it was different. In 1919, the western border of Germany was set strictly to keep Germany in check, but in 1925 the nations at Locarno simply wanted to prevent further hostility between Germany and France. However, Locarno was in agreement with the Treaty of Versailles in that it stated Germany would NOT use military conflict as a means of settling disputes with belgium or France. IN this case, the anti-German sentiment after WWI was still fairly prevalent. The delegates at Locarno may have been trying to soften the post-war treatment of Germany, but they weren’t yet ready to forget the invasion of France or the Rape of Belgium in 1914. Locarno did not seek to maintain the eastern German border with Russia as stated in the Treaty of Versailles.They did not necessarily discard Versailles's conditions, but it was never specifically debated or supported. Also, a treaty agreement between the nation present showed that Locarno was focused on preventing another WWI. According to the treaties, other European countries would step in should either France or Germany violated the western border agreement. Germany was fairly satisfied with this arrangement because it seemed not merely one-sided. France, on the other hand, did not feel like the Locarno settlements gave them adequate protection from Germany because assistance would only be provided should the breach in treaty be labeled “severe”. The Locarno Treaties were inconsistent with the Versailles Treaty in this way because they sought to protect the welfare of all European nations after WWI, not just those on the Allied side. This was further shown by Germany’s induction into the League of Nations (something previously prohibited) and the greater amounts of U.S. money that flowed into Germany in the hopes of post-war reconstruction.

//** How can we best understand the "Spirit of Locarno"? To what extent did this represent a European attempt at reconciliation after WWI? **//

Perhaps the best way to qualify the “Spirit of Locarno” come from one of the British leaders at Locarno, Austin Chamberlain (not to be confused with Arthur Chamberlain). He called Locarno “the real dividing point between the years of war and the years of peace.” The leaders present felt that the Locarno Treaties were the beginning of a new time of diplomacy and peace. The wounds of WWI could now begin to heal and many felt that Locarno had successfully ensured that such catastrophe would never repeat itself. However, this was not entirely realistic. While Locarno itself represent a European attempt at reconciliation, the treaties contained elements that do not coincide with this idea. Firstly, some countries were very dissatisfied with the results of Locarno. Soviet Russia was highly suspicious of the Conference’s neglect to restrict Germany’s eastern border with the USSR. This actually increased tensions between the USSR and other European nations. Also, the Treaties of Locarno failed to address many aspects of the Treaty of Versailles that, in essence, prevented a true reconciliation. It did not absolve Germany’s war guilt, lessen the reparations Germany was to make to other nations, or decrease Germany’s forced demilitarization. .Essentially, Europe was only starting to forgive Germany for the Great War in 1925 and countries like France and Belgium, who had been the most directly affected by Germany’s offense, were not able to forget the atrocities they had suffered. In this way, the Spirit of Locarno was a premature optimism that overlooked crucial elements of tension that still lingered between European nations because of WWI. (Masden Stribling)


 * Bibliography:**
 * Crosby, Oscar. "Locarno." //Advocate of Peace Through Justice// 88.4 (1926): 223-236. //JSTOR//. Web. 4 Oct. 2013.
 * Hull, Andrew . "Locarno Treaties: 1925." // Then Again. . . // . Web Chiron, n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2013. "Locarno Conference 1925." //Magpie >> Laman Utama //. Tripod, n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2013. .
 * "Locarno Conference of 1925 definition of Locarno Conference of 1925 in the Free Online Encyclopedia.." //Encyclopedia //. Farlex, n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2013. <http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com