Key Treaties & Conferences of the Interwar Period (1920s-1930s)
Washington Naval Conference (1921-22)
Japan began building battleships, alarming the USA due to their proximity. The treaty limited the Japanese navy to three-fifths the size of the US Navy.
Genoa Conference (1922)
This conference was a failure. Germany requested more time to pay reparations, but France refused, needing the money.
Rapallo Treaty (1922)
Germany and the USSR signed this treaty, becoming allies. Germany could rebuild its military in Russian territory and train Russian troops to German standards.
Dawes Plan (1924)
This plan adjusted reparation payments to what Germany could reasonably afford, preventing France from occupying the Ruhr again (which had caused chaos). Germany received substantial loans, mainly from the USA, to aid its economy. Tensions decreased when France withdrew from the Ruhr.
Locarno Treaties (1925)
These treaties aimed to improve relations between countries. Similar to the Treaty of Versailles, Germany accepted this treaty and participated in decision-making, unlike Versailles. In 1926, Germany joined the League of Nations, considered an equal and a peace-loving country.
Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
The US and France, along with 65 other countries, signed this pact, agreeing not to attack each other.
Young Plan (1929)
As Germany recovered, it faced two loans. France agreed to reduce reparations from 6.6 billion pounds to 2 billion pounds.
World Disarmament Conference (1932-33)
This conference failed because no country wanted to disarm, except for Germany, which was already disarmed by the Treaty of Versailles. Germany’s request to rearm was denied.
France and Germany (up to 1924)
France aimed to keep Germany weak, as Germany had invaded France twice in 50 years. France also sought to enforce the Treaty of Versailles, ensuring Germany paid reparations and adhered to Rhineland demilitarization and limitations on weapons and soldiers.
USSR and Germany
Initially, relations were poor due to anti-communism. However, when both were isolated, they formed a 10-year alliance. Eventually, the Nazi party’s public anti-communism led to a break in relations.
France and the USSR
France, being anti-communist, never established relations with the USSR.
Britain and the USSR
Britain’s relations with the USSR fluctuated, improving when Britain needed the USSR and declining when they did not.