Analyse The Results Of The Locarno Treaties
“Analyse the results of one Twentieth century treaty or peace settlement”
The Locarno Treaties of 1925 could be seen as the formal turning point for the beginning of the Locarno honeymoon era. It came as a welcome solution to the German problem at a time where they were regaining strength as a powerful nation after accepting the Dawes Plan 1924, which gave them financial aid from the USA – worrying nations, particularly those sharing borders with Germany (France, Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia) that felt threatened by their growth. The treaty renewed optimism within Europe as the league opened its doors to Germany and also the example set by the improved Franco-German relations created a sense of hope for a lasting peace. However, what were the concrete effects the treaty had on Europe? The polite atmosphere following this agreement may have been a product of economic prosperity across Europe more then by the results of the Locarno treaty, as shown by how quickly the Locarno Spirit broke down during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
In some ways, the most important effect of Locarno was the positive change it had on the mood in Europe. Mass opinion directed foreign policies towards a more friendly tone after the crippling and hostile effects of the treaty of Versailles that by the time was felt unjustifiably harsh by Britain after seeing the crippling effects on the German economy. By this time, domestic economies were beginning to pick up from the post-war slump, nations like Britain had incentive to resume trade with Germany, as it would bring forth mutual economic benefits. Perhaps domestic policies were already gradually being pushed towards Locarno by prominent figures like J. M. Keynes who had published ‘The Economic Consequences of the Peace’ following the harsh Versailles Settlement, influencing Austen Chamberlain to adopt more conciliatory policies. Although there was already continuity in placatory British policies with how they removed German
The Locarno Treaties of 1925 could be seen as the formal turning point for the beginning of the Locarno honeymoon era. It came as a welcome solution to the German problem at a time where they were regaining strength as a powerful nation after accepting the Dawes Plan 1924, which gave them financial aid from the USA – worrying nations, particularly those sharing borders with Germany (France, Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia) that felt threatened by their growth. The treaty renewed optimism within Europe as the league opened its doors to Germany and also the example set by the improved Franco-German relations created a sense of hope for a lasting peace. However, what were the concrete effects the treaty had on Europe? The polite atmosphere following this agreement may have been a product of economic prosperity across Europe more then by the results of the Locarno treaty, as shown by how quickly the Locarno Spirit broke down during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
In some ways, the most important effect of Locarno was the positive change it had on the mood in Europe. Mass opinion directed foreign policies towards a more friendly tone after the crippling and hostile effects of the treaty of Versailles that by the time was felt unjustifiably harsh by Britain after seeing the crippling effects on the German economy. By this time, domestic economies were beginning to pick up from the post-war slump, nations like Britain had incentive to resume trade with Germany, as it would bring forth mutual economic benefits. Perhaps domestic policies were already gradually being pushed towards Locarno by prominent figures like J. M. Keynes who had published ‘The Economic Consequences of the Peace’ following the harsh Versailles Settlement, influencing Austen Chamberlain to adopt more conciliatory policies. Although there was already continuity in placatory British policies with how they removed German