Word Count: Date: 02/11/2010 Essay Question: Explain the nature of the Locarno Treaties.

Li Chun Ho (Alvin) IB History HL

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot, clause 26, chapter 9, The Art of War by Sun Tzu. The nature of the Locarno Treaties involved of the perception of attempting to improve the relations between Germany and France, as seen by Stresemanns efforts, also known as the policy of fulfillment. He wanted Britain and France to be more acceptable towards Germanys slight changes to the TOV. Moreover, she agreed to join the League of Nations. The major settlement of the Treaty of Locarno resolved disputes between the western borders of France and Germany. British and German views suggested they aimed to prevent future French aggression by including France as one of the members to maintain the borders of Rhineland and the existing borders between France and Germany; thus attempting to avoid a repeat of the Ruhr Crisis. In addition, the Germans hoped this would create an oppournity for the early withdrawal of the Allied Control Commission. Furthermore, the treaties of Locarno were perceived to prevent the spread of Communism by having close cooperation within the European countries, such as the arbitration treaties signed between Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia and France by Germany, excluding the Soviet Union by isolating it diplomatically, which suggests a barrier against the possible spread of communism. The treaty is seen to be prolonging the period of the good times started by the Dawes Plan, to avoid another catastrophic economic crisis. However, behind the friendly acts publicly saw between the leaders, the nature of the Locarno treaties was surrounded by incompatible policy objectives which were devised too ambitiously. The negotiation of the Locarno treaties was done by Stresemann who aimed to improve relations with France by making a British guarantee to France and Belgium due to the absence of a military guarantee from America. His policy of fulfillment suggested he would agree with the Treaty of Versailles however slowly suggesting amendments to it. This implied he had the long term goals of Hitler (to destroy the Treaty of Versailles) but using different approaches. As a result, France and Britain might become more willing towards Germanys changes to the TOV. Thats why Stresemann saw the importance of good relations with France. This was done using various methods to convince France of a false sense of security. For example, the French were unconvinced of Britains sincerity in maintaining the military guarantee because she was more concerned with her own overseas colonies such as Australia and Asia. Although Britain might enforce the TOV, she might be doing so due to her own benefit. In addition, four arbitration treaties were signed with the aforementioned countries known as alternative dispute resolution to solve disputes outside the courts of law, which appears to be a step towards close European cooperation but had numerous flaws in them. Not only did the circumstances of the Treaty of Locarno improved relations of European countries, the fact it was agreed Germany could join the League of Nations implied a step away from the sanctions and punishments Germany should be imposed on. Earlier on, she was not consulted or allowed to negotiate the Treaty of Versailles nor was she given national self-determination. Therefore, this action showed Germany is starting to be at an equal height with other countries further suggesting the nature of the Locarno treaty was nothing short of a conspiracy attack again the French perception of European security.

Word Count: Date: 02/11/2010 Essay Question: Explain the nature of the Locarno Treaties.

Li Chun Ho (Alvin) IB History HL

In addition, there was not a very precise line on the responsibilities of countries when a country attacks another. Several of the agreements stated that breaches of the Western border considered to be alleged should be referred to the League of Nations, while breaches considered to be flagrant should be referred to Britain and Italy, as guarantors of the so called, flagrant breaches. The vague definitions without and clear guidelines posed a problem in which when a breach takes place, Britain and Italy may suggest it not to be flagrant and refuse to uphold responsibility. This suggests the Treaty of Locarno was lacking detail and clarity as to the various duties countries had to be responsible of.