Between Two Fires

Post-War General Conditions

Between Two FiresPeace of Paris Angered:1. Germany (war guilt clause; lost

colonies; reparations; not invited to talks)

2. Italy (1915 land promises not fulfilled)

3. USSR (new communists not trusted; no help from the West; civil war rages on…)

4. Japan (land promises not fulfilled)

5. Jews and Arabs (Balfour Declaration broken)

Civil War ended: 1921

Russia in BAD shape!

Small States: Self-

Determination

Massive War Reparations

Huge Debt: Need

Reparations &

Markets

America: High Tariffs Discourage

Imports

Europe:

Need Markets/B

uyers

Debase Currency: Inflation up – discourages

Growth

Can’t sell at home… can’t sell abroad…

Creditor Nation: Over Investment in Stock

Market: Over Production: NO

BUYERS!!!

Economies• The Great War caused –Unemployment–Overproduction–Inflation

• World-wide depression: air of desperation

Anger, Bitterness, and Desperation

• These emotions led to the rise of totalitarianism• People looked to any charismatic

leader for help–Germany: Hitler–Italy: Mussolini–USSR: Stalin–Japan: War Hawk Generals

Desperation and Horror• In the West, economic disasters created

the need for charismatic leaders–USA: FDR–UK: Chamberlain

• Horrors of WWI led to unrealistic treaties–Locarno–Kellogg-Briand–Washington Conference

General ‘Pacts’ and Agreements

League of Nations • Enunciated by US President Wilson in his 14

Points & included in the Treaty of Versailles• League’s Purpose: – Work for international friendship, peace, and security– To attain this, it was greed that war would be

avoided, peaceful relations would be maintained, and international law and accords would be honored

• Headquarters in Geneva• 26 Article Covenant to determine membership

and withdrawal• The Council:– 5 Permanent members (France, Italy, England,

Japan, US)• US seat left vacant because US Congress refused to ratify

the Treaty of Versailles• Germany filled the US vacancy in 1926

– 4 one-year Rotating seats (increased to 6 in 1922)– 1 Vote per member

• Powers of the Council– Discuss threats to international stability– Recommend action to member states– Could seek ways to reduce arms strength– Can search for ways to stop war & aggression– Suggest economic sanctions and other tactics to

enforce decisions• Assembly– Legislative body of the League– Similar discussion & debating authority– No real Legislative powers

• Permanent Court of International Justice (World Court)– Located at the Hague in the Netherlands– Would consider any case brought before it– Acted as arbiter– Decisions were not binding – it relied on voluntary

submission to decisions• Other parts to the League– Secretariat– International Labor Organization (ILO)– Mandates Commission– Etc…

Washington Conference (1921-1922)

• Designed to deal with problems of disarmament• Participants were major powers in Europe and

Asia• Results:– Washington Naval Treaty (Five Power Treaty)• Halted battleship construction for 10 years• Limited shipping levels

– Four Power Treaty• US, England, France, Japan agreed to not seek further

Pacific expansion

• Washington Conference cont.– Nine Power treaty• 9 powers agreed to return China’s Kiachow territory to

China• Guaranteed China’s independence and territorial

autonomy

Draft Treaty of Mutual Assistance (1923)

• Meant to determine aggressor in a conflict and provide support for the victim

• Designed to target nations that did not reduce arms

• Approved by League’s Assembly, however only France, Italy, and Japan actually supported it

Geneva Protocol (1924)Locarno Pact (1925)Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)

Go online and provide details for these Pacts