france and post-wwi security

France and the Search for Security

in EuropeWith the League in place, why was Europe not secure?

With the League in place, why was Europe not secure?

The US and the LeagueThe US and the League

US didn’t join League or sign Versailles. France had accepted a moderate treaty under

the assumption that US would be involved I maintaining European security.

US public is isolationist. Wilson can’t sell League or Versailles to

Congress. Europe stuck with a treaty and international

organization that no one is happy with.

US didn’t join League or sign Versailles. France had accepted a moderate treaty under

the assumption that US would be involved I maintaining European security.

US public is isolationist. Wilson can’t sell League or Versailles to

Congress. Europe stuck with a treaty and international

organization that no one is happy with.

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The German QuestionThe German Question

Question: what role will Germany play in European (and world) affairs?”

Despite being militarily defeated, Germany was still a major industrial power.

France tried to steal that industrial base, but Wilson prevented this.

US absence and Britain’s apparent indifference left France feeling alone.

Question: what role will Germany play in European (and world) affairs?”

Despite being militarily defeated, Germany was still a major industrial power.

France tried to steal that industrial base, but Wilson prevented this.

US absence and Britain’s apparent indifference left France feeling alone.

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Keep Germany WeakKeep Germany Weak

Clemenceau wanted Germany divided permanently, but got no support, only promises from Wilson for backup if Germany attacked again.

But with an isolationist Congress, Wilson’s promise meant nothing, so Britain withdrew its promise too.

France is ALONE.

Clemenceau wanted Germany divided permanently, but got no support, only promises from Wilson for backup if Germany attacked again.

But with an isolationist Congress, Wilson’s promise meant nothing, so Britain withdrew its promise too.

France is ALONE.

The Reparations QuestionThe Reparations Question

France wanted $$ from Germany, not only to pay for damage, but to keep Germany weak. Set up payments so that the more the German

economy recovered, the higher the payments were. Through payments US maintained connection

to Europe (German reparations went towards British and French loans to the Americans).

Deal was that if Germany failed to make payments, the Allies would occupy the Ruhr Valley (industrial heartland).

France wanted $$ from Germany, not only to pay for damage, but to keep Germany weak. Set up payments so that the more the German

economy recovered, the higher the payments were. Through payments US maintained connection

to Europe (German reparations went towards British and French loans to the Americans).

Deal was that if Germany failed to make payments, the Allies would occupy the Ruhr Valley (industrial heartland).

In 1922, Germany asked for a moratorium on payments.

France, Belgium and Italy voted to occupy (Britain against).

1923 French and Belgian moved in. German government ordered passive

resistance (population refused to work). This lead to hyperinflation ($ worth

nothing), which decimated the middle class (became Hitler’s support base later).

Hyperinflation lead to fall of current German government.

In 1922, Germany asked for a moratorium on payments.

France, Belgium and Italy voted to occupy (Britain against).

1923 French and Belgian moved in. German government ordered passive

resistance (population refused to work). This lead to hyperinflation ($ worth

nothing), which decimated the middle class (became Hitler’s support base later).

Hyperinflation lead to fall of current German government.

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New government formed by Gustav Stresemann, who announced Germany would pay reparations.

Streseman introduced a new currency and introduced a new era in the Weimar Republic. One of cooperation and international

participation rather than sulking.

New government formed by Gustav Stresemann, who announced Germany would pay reparations.

Streseman introduced a new currency and introduced a new era in the Weimar Republic. One of cooperation and international

participation rather than sulking.

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Re-organizing Reparations: The Dawes Plan

Re-organizing Reparations: The Dawes Plan

Germany requested expert international advice to manage reparation payments.

Response was a committed headed by Charles Dawes, an American banker.

5 Point Plan: Evacuate Ally forces from Ruhr Pledge government revenues for reparations Payments begin at $250 mil. and build to $600 mil. Payments still tied to German prosperity Foreign loan of $200 mil. offered to get Germany

started.

Germany requested expert international advice to manage reparation payments.

Response was a committed headed by Charles Dawes, an American banker.

5 Point Plan: Evacuate Ally forces from Ruhr Pledge government revenues for reparations Payments begin at $250 mil. and build to $600 mil. Payments still tied to German prosperity Foreign loan of $200 mil. offered to get Germany

started.

Re-organizing Reparations: The Young Plan (1930)

Re-organizing Reparations: The Young Plan (1930)

Another plan, introduced at beginning of Depression by another American banker, Charles Young.

Cut reparations to $29 billion (from 33). End Allied occupation of Rhineland (lost

their last means of exerting force to make Germany pay).

Another plan, introduced at beginning of Depression by another American banker, Charles Young.

Cut reparations to $29 billion (from 33). End Allied occupation of Rhineland (lost

their last means of exerting force to make Germany pay).

End of ReparationsEnd of Reparations

During Depression, Germany could not pay at all.

The Luasanne Conference set new total to $750 million, which Germany never did pay.

Hitler cancelled reparations officially in 1937 (total paid: $5 billion dollars).

During Depression, Germany could not pay at all.

The Luasanne Conference set new total to $750 million, which Germany never did pay.

Hitler cancelled reparations officially in 1937 (total paid: $5 billion dollars).

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French Security: Maginot Line

French Security: Maginot Line

Maginot Line was a line of concrete forts and tunnels along France’s boarder with Germany.

Believed it could withstand anything. Didn’t think of two things:

Boarder with Belgium (Schlieffen Plan) Airplanes and tanks.

Maginot Line was a line of concrete forts and tunnels along France’s boarder with Germany.

Believed it could withstand anything. Didn’t think of two things:

Boarder with Belgium (Schlieffen Plan) Airplanes and tanks.

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French Security: Treaties of Mutual Assistance

French Security: Treaties of Mutual Assistance

Treaty with Beligium in 1920 Treaty with Poland in 1921 Joined The Little Entente

(Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Yugoslavia) in 1924, 1926, and 1927.

Treaty with Beligium in 1920 Treaty with Poland in 1921 Joined The Little Entente

(Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Yugoslavia) in 1924, 1926, and 1927.

French Security: Appeasement

French Security: Appeasement

France reluctantly agreed to appeasement as a last-ditch effort to maintain security.

France reluctantly agreed to appeasement as a last-ditch effort to maintain security.