Diplomacy and Peace: Key Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is the main argument presented in the provided passage?

Peace based on hegemony and deterrence is less stable compared to a community of shared values and goals.

Peace is not possible when powerful countries seek dominance through military strength.

Despite the end of war, achieving peace requires resolving the underlying issues that led to conflict. (correct)

The success of peacemaking hinges on the ability to translate military victories into lasting political settlements.

Which of these is NOT considered a characteristic of the Concert of Europe?

A focus on enforcing international law through military action. (correct)

A balance-of-power dynamic.

A system of shared values and goals among Great Powers.

A reliance on military alliances and secret treaties.

What is the author implying regarding the role of 'diplomacy' in achieving peace?

Diplomacy can create more tension and conflict than military action.

Diplomacy is crucial to translate militaryvictories into stable political settlements. (correct)

Diplomacy plays no significant role in building lasting peace.

Diplomacy is ineffective in promoting cooperation between nations.

According to the passage, what were the key elements that contributed to the failure of the 'old' diplomatic structures in maintaining international order?

The reliance on military alliances, secret treaties and balance-of-power politics. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main models of peace discussed in the text?

Peace through military dominance and peace through a stable security community. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'armistice' in the context of the text?

It marks an end to military action, but does not guarantee a lasting peace. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism of the Concert of Europe system as presented by the author?

It proved ineffective in preventing the outbreak of World War I, highlighting its limitations in maintaining peace. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

It officially ended World War I between Russia and the Central Powers. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did Lenin regard the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk as?

A temporary measure that would eventually be reversed. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of Wilson's "new diplomacy"?

To promote peace through cooperation and collective security. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the US declaration of war on Germany in 1917?

It was driven by a commitment to opposing German militarism and promoting a better world. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the central principle behind Wilson's Fourteen Points?

The promotion of collective security and self-determination. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk's impact on Russia?

It forced Russia to concede large territories and resources to Germany. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did the American entry into the war impact the conflict?

It initially contributed to a stalemate but eventually helped the Allies to achieve victory. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the key difference between Lenin and Wilson's approaches to resolving the conflict?

Lenin sought to transform the international system through revolution, while Wilson aimed for reform through American power. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did Wilson see as the primary cause of the war?

A flawed and anarchic international system. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did the "Decree on Peace" and Wilson's call for "peace without victory" share in common?

They both expressed an opposition to imperialism. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the objective of the "Fourteen Points"?

To establish a new world order based on peace and justice. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of the League of Nations?

To promote international peace through collective security. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What were the key themes of Wilson's "Fourteen Points"?

Collective security and self-determination. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did Wilson's "new diplomacy" differ from traditional diplomacy?

It sought to create a more open and transparent system of international relations. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why did Lenin pull Russia out of the war?

He wanted to focus on consolidating power in Russia and spreading revolution. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the "Rhineland Pact"?

To guarantee Germany's borders with its European neighbors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motive behind Briand's proposal for an agreement to renounce war?

To gain some form of moral commitment from the United States to maintain the existing power structure. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism of the Kellogg-Briand pact as presented in the text?

It was a weak and ultimately ineffective attempt at preventing future wars. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why was Italy's potential for expansion limited in the 1920s?

Because Germany pursued a policy of peaceful revision within the existing international system. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements accurately describes Mussolini's foreign policy in the 1920s?

He sought to gain recognition as a major player on the international stage, but his ambitions were tempered by the limitations imposed by the existing power structure. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the MAIN reason given for the containment of Italian revisionism in the 1920s?

The pursuit of peaceful revision by Germany within the existing international system. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the official limit set for the German army after the war?

100,000 men (D) Signup and view all the answers

What clause was primarily responsible for Germany's acceptance of war guilt?

Article 231 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the factors that limited Germany's capacity to pay reparations?

Diminished natural resources (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the interim payment demanded from Germany before the final reparations amount was determined?

20 billion gold marks (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the two Articles, 231 and 232, in relation to Germany's reparations?

To protect Germany from excessive financial liability (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which city was made a 'free city' to provide Poland access to the sea?

Danzig (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which leader prioritized French security through permanent weakening of Germany?

Georges Clemenceau (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why were the Anglo-American Treaties of Guarantee important to France?

They were considered the 'keystone of European peace' (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the rejection of the Treaty of Versailles by the American Senate?

Frustration of French security measures (B) Signup and view all the answers

What condition was placed on British adherence to the Anglo-American guarantees?

If the American Senate approved the treaty (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did the peacemakers fail to address effectively regarding the reparations owed by Germany?

The total cost of the war (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary concern of Lloyd George regarding France's position in Europe?

Creating a dominant European hegemon (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did Hitler use the Danzig question in 1939?

As a pretext for attacking Poland (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was Stresemann's primary goal in launching a "peace offensive"?

To get French troops out of the Ruhr and secure the Rhineland. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Locarno Treaties for Stresemann's revisionist program?

They provided Germany with a strong economic and political foothold in the West. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main challenge Stresemann faced in pursuing his revisionist agenda?

The potential for conflict with the Soviet Union. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of American short-term loans and investments for European recovery after World War I?

They facilitated a short-lived economic revival in the 1920s. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why did Stresemann need the USSR's support in his foreign policy objectives?

To pressure Poland and exploit any future crisis in Eastern Europe. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main weakness of the League of Nations in the 1920s?

Inability to resolve the disputes between the Great Powers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these best describes the relationship between the Great Powers in the late 1920s?

A fragile truce built on economic interdependence and mutual suspicion. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason that made the international structure of the 1920s fragile?

The lingering consequences of the war and unresolved conflicts. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these was NOT a factor that contributed to the fragile peace of the 1920s?

The lack of significant economic growth in many European countries. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main features of the "new diplomacy" that emerged in the 1920s?

The emphasis on arbitration and collective security. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did the Kellogg-Briand Pact signify about the international community's approach to peace?

A desire to create a world without war, despite the limitations of reality. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did the events in the late 1920s reveal about the role of international organizations in international politics?

They were largely ineffective in influencing the actions of the Great Powers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How was the political equilibrium of the 1920s characterized?

A fragile balance between revisionist and status quo powers. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these was a contributing factor to the precarious peace of the 1920s?

The limited engagement of the United States in European affairs. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main factor contributing to the slow emergence of a stable international framework in the 1920s?

The combination of a fragile economic recovery and unresolved tensions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main reasons Lloyd George insisted on including pensions in reparations claims?

To gain political support from Parliament (B) Signup and view all the answers

What alternative did French officials consider regarding Germany's economic influence?

Partnership in iron and steel production (A) Signup and view all the answers

What stance did Wilson take regarding Germany's treatment post-war?

Germany needed to be punished before being rehabilitated (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which country's support was deemed essential for France's security regarding Germany?

United States (B) Signup and view all the answers

What key strategy did the Allies use to encourage nationalities during the war?

Promises of post-war autonomy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was one outcome of the Treaty of Saint-Germain?

It included provisions for ethnic minorities' protection (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did the post-war agreements largely reflect in relation to Germany?

A commitment to enforce reparations and indemnities (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about the American cancellation of war debts, according to Marc Trachtenberg?

It could have moderated the reparations assigned to Germany (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which treaty specifically prohibited the union of Austria and Germany?

Treaty of Saint-Germain (C) Signup and view all the answers

In terms of substantial reconstruction aid, how did the American approach in 1919 differ from actions in 1947?

The U.S. was more restrictive in 1919 than in 1947 (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which minor treaty further confirmed the new territorial arrangements in Europe post-World War I?

Treaty of Sèvres (A) Signup and view all the answers

What attitude did Wilson have towards balance-of-power politics?

He considered it counterproductive (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a shared goal among the Allied powers regarding post-war Europe?

To prevent the spread of communism (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the starting point for the analysis provided in the text?

The collapse of the diplomatic, military, and domestic political stalemate in 1917 (A) Signup and view all the answers

What event triggered the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II?

The refusal of the Petrograd garrison to fire on strikers and food demonstrators in March 1917 (C) Signup and view all the answers

What were the two centers of political power after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II?

The Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet of workers’ and soldiers’ deputies (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the stance of the Petrograd Soviet on peace?

They advocated for peace without annexations or indemnities and a frontier settlement based on national self-determination. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the international socialist movement's attempt to hold a peace conference in Stockholm fail?

The Allies blocked the conference. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason Lenin believed that war was inevitable?

The expansionist impulses of monopoly capitalism. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main objective of the Bolshevik 'Decree on Peace' issued in November 1917?

To call for a general armistice and a final peace settlement without annexations or indemnities. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason the Bolsheviks believed a wave of workers’ revolutions would occur in Europe?

The war's destruction of existing social and economic systems. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Bolsheviks publish secret inter-Allied agreements on war aims?

To expose the true motives behind the war and undermine public support for the Entente. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'national self-determination' refer to?

The right of each national group to establish its own national state. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was President Woodrow Wilson's vision for a new diplomatic system?

One based on the rule of law, composed of free and independent nation-states, and guided by the 'organized moral force of mankind.' (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following were key proponents of a 'new diplomacy' following the outbreak of World War I?

Lenin and Woodrow Wilson (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the key issue addressed by the Treaty of Sèvres (August 1920)?

The redrawing of national boundaries in the aftermath of World War I. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the period from the French occupation of the Rhineland in 1923 to the Locarno treaties of 1925 reveal?

The inability of the victors to maintain a lasting peace. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main question the text attempts to answer?

Why did the Paris peace settlement fail to create a lasting European peace? (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the lack of a better post-war order, according to the text?

The 'Big Three' had different visions for the post-war order. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation for Lloyd George's support of the League of Nations?

He wanted to appease American pressure on other issues. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a key feature of the League of Nations?

A standing army to enforce peace. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the ‘three-month period of arbitration’ for international disputes?

It provided a formal process for resolving disputes peacefully. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for Germany's loss of territory and economic potential in the post-war settlement?

The 'Big Three' wanted to weaken Germany so it could not threaten future peace. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the ultimate fate of the Saar region?

Its fate was to be decided by a plebiscite. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the designation of Danzig as a ‘free city’?

It gave Poland control over Danzig's customs and foreign policy. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did the League of Nations attempt to deter future wars?

By threatening covenant-breakers with universal war. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main weakness of the League of Nations?

It lacked a strong military to enforce its decisions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main tension between the French and American visions for the League of Nations?

The American vision was based on diplomacy, while the French vision was based on military power. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did the ‘new diplomacy’ represent, according to the text?

A system based on secrecy and manipulation, leading to conflict. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why was the German settlement considered ‘punitive’?

It resulted in the loss of German territory and economic potential. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the demilitarization of the Rhineland?

To prevent Germany from regaining its military power. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a consequence of the post-war settlement for Germany?

The annexation of Austria. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which region remained part of the Czech-dominated union to ensure its economic viability?

Sudetenland (D) Signup and view all the answers

What major territory did Romania acquire after World War I?

Bessarabia (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Paris Peace Conference regarding self-determination?

It caused more ethnic strife and national conflict. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which territory did Italy acquire as part of the peace settlement?

South Tyrol (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did the League of Nations promise regarding minority protection?

Arbitration of minority rights. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did David Stevenson suggest could have prevented the failures of the 1930s?

Leniency over reparations. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What contributed to the decline of inter-Allied solidarity after World War I?

America's withdrawal from the peace settlement. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the American position after World War I regarding international commitments?

America withdrew from most international commitments. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason for Wilson's failure to secure the Treaty of Versailles ratification?

Insistence on the League’s Covenant. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which state gained territory from Bulgaria after World War I?

Greece (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor leading to the dissatisfaction of major states in the post-war settlement?

Unresolved territorial disputes and claims. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a territory controlled by Soviet Russia after World War I?

Czechoslovakia (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did Wilson's idea of a new liberal world order seek to achieve?

Universal self-determination and democracy. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which event symbolized the end of America's commitment to European peace after WWI?

The rejection of the Treaty of Versailles by the Senate. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What dual-track policy did Soviet Russia adopt to ensure its survival?

Promoting international communism while strengthening its own regime (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Rapallo agreement between Soviet Russia and Weimar Germany?

It resumed diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two pariah states (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Treaty of Sèvres affect Franco-Turkish relations?

It was nullified by a later agreement with Kemal Atatürk (C) Signup and view all the answers

What legacy did the Versailles Treaty have in Germany during the interwar period?

It generated a sense of humiliation and injustice among the populace (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was J.M. Keynes' argument in 'The Economic Consequences of the Peace'?

The reparations were excessively punitive and counterproductive (A) Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the failures of security pacts have on European stability?

They contributed to a perception of British hesitation and withdrawal (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a central aspect of Weimar Germany's foreign policy in the 1920s?

Attempts to balance between compliance and defiance against the Allies (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors most contributed to the breakdown of trust between France and Britain?

Britain's perception of French ambitions and distrust of interventionist policies (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did the perception of the Treaty of Versailles influence German society?

It fostered a narrative of injustice and betrayal within the populace (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role did economic agreements play in Soviet foreign policy during the interwar period?

They were used as tools to create alliances with capitalist nations (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did Western powers fear regarding Soviet Russia's international policies?

A potential alignment with Germany against the Allies (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the Soviet Union's decision to renounce its debts?

It fostered isolation and mistrust among Western powers (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the broader implication of the rivalry between Britain and France after World War I?

It undermined the stability that the Allies hoped to establish (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was an outcome of the failure of the Allied intervention in Russia?

Strengthened support for the Bolshevik regime (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the original amount set for reparation payments to be made by Germany in 1921?

132 billion gold marks (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did the Germans argue about the 132 billion gold marks reparation amount?

It plunged their economy into an inflationary spiral. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which countries were part of the Reparations Commission's vote declaring Germany in default of payments?

France, Belgium, Italy (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the British and French disagreements over reparations?

The British sought a quick economic recovery in Germany. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What action did French and Belgian troops take in January 1923?

They occupied the Rhineland. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was one outcome of the crisis regarding reparations and occupation by the French?

Widespread passive resistance arose in Germany. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did the Dawes Plan achieve in 1924?

It scaled down reparations and reorganized the Reichsbank. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a perceived consequence of the French occupation of the Rhineland?

It alienated Anglo-American opinion. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What economic impact did the occupation of German towns have in response to strikes?

It resulted in hyper-inflation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did French Prime Minister Poincaré aim to achieve by occupying the Rhineland?

To support Rhenish separatism. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements describes a major flaw in the negotiation process during the 1922 Geneva conference?

The Americans chose not to participate. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of British Prime Minister Andrew Bonar Law to the French occupation of the Rhineland?

He issued diplomatic protests but took no further action. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the actions taken by the Allies regarding reparations and economic recovery impact Germany?

Plunged Germany into further economic crisis. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the reparations settlement primarily fueled political conflict between Germany and the Allies?

The divergent public expectations regarding payments. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did the reparations situation reveal about the priorities of the Allied powers?

They sought to punish Germany unequivocally. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the French and British reliance on American support?

The French and British had suffered heavy losses in 1917 and needed American troops, supplies and credit. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a major point of contention between Wilson and the European leaders, particularly Clemenceau and Lloyd George?

The extent of German reparations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was Ludendorff's primary objective in launching the offensives in spring 1918?

To break through the Allied lines and force a decisive victory before American troops arrived. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the German government approach President Wilson directly for an armistice, bypassing their allies?

They hoped to secure a moderate peace based on Wilson's Fourteen Points. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why the Entente powers initially played down their differences with Wilson?

They wanted to maintain a unified front against the Central Powers. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of Wilson's Fourteen Points on Germany and Austria-Hungary?

They fueled opposition to the war and demands for a non-annexationist peace. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the failure of Austria-Hungary's attempt to negotiate a separate peace with Britain and France?

Italy's plans to gain at Austria's expense blocked any deal. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the Central Powers' continued commitment to a military solution in the late stages of the war?

They believed they were close to achieving a decisive victory on the battlefield. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for Wilson's decision to exclude his allies from the armistice talks with Germany?

He wanted to ensure that the peace negotiations would be conducted on his terms. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the most significant consequence of Wilson's decision to exclude his allies from the armistice talks?

It created tensions between the allies over the shape of the post-war settlement. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was Wilson's primary objective in negotiating the peace settlement?

To achieve a stable and lasting peace for all nations. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What disagreement emerged between the British and Americans over the terms of the peace settlement?

The meaning of ‘freedom of the seas’. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the relative success of the Entente powers in achieving unity during the war?

They had a common enemy in the Central Powers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary factor leading to the Central Powers' acceptance of an armistice?

The realization that their military position was hopeless. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the most significant obstacle preventing Austria-Hungary from negotiating a separate peace with the Entente powers?

Italy's plans to acquire Austrian territory. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was Wilson's primary justification for advocating for the removal of economic barriers?

He believed that it was necessary to create a fair and equitable global economic system. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Allied powers plan to ensure Germany's defeat in World War I, despite the armistice?

They imposed strict military and naval limitations in the armistice conditions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What caused the Allies to conclude the armistice in 1918?

The German military's unexpected vulnerability and the prospect of an imminent collapse prompted the early acceptance of the armistice. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a key reason for the perceived connection between democracy, defeat and the Paris peace in the minds of many Germans?

The public perception that the transition to a republic was triggered by internal revolutions and ultimately resulted in the signing of the humiliating Treaty of Versailles. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the key feature of the armistice agreement signed on 11 November 1918?

It left Germany militarily helpless. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the German high command promote constitutional reform in 1918?

They aimed to shift the blame for Germany's defeat to the civilian leadership, thereby preserving the image of the military. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the Paris Peace Conference?

To establish a just and lasting peace settlement for the end of World War I. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key arguments against the decision to accept the armistice in 1918?

The Allied leadership felt that accepting the armistice prematurely missed the opportunity to secure a more favorable peace treaty, perhaps with a stronger position after an Allied invasion of German soil. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the Allied intervention forces in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution?

The intervention forces inadvertently contributed to the consolidation of the Bolshevik regime by fueling the Russian people's resentment against foreign interference. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary characteristic of the "stab-in-the-back legend" popularized by German right-wing propagandists?

It accused socialists, pacifists, and Jews of sabotaging the German war effort from within, leading to their defeat. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Allied powers perceive President Wilson's commitment to a 'storming of the German frontier'?

They were hesitant and unsure about his genuine willingness to pursue such a bold strategy. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Council of Four play in the Paris Peace Conference?

They functioned as a primary decision-making body, particularly in shaping the treaty with Germany. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What hindered the efficient functioning of the Paris Peace Conference initially?

The absence of a clear decision-making framework and procedures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major challenges facing the Allied powers as they sought to achieve a stable peace after World War I?

The difficulty in securing lasting peace while addressing the complex issues of reparations, territorial disputes, and the potential rise of new conflicts. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Locarno treaties?

To establish a framework for European security and stability (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which agreement was considered the most important outcome of the Locarno treaties?

The Rhineland Pact (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the role Britain played in the Locarno agreements?

To serve as an honest broker and guarantee security (D) Signup and view all the answers

What did each foreign minister view the Locarno treaties as a first step towards?

A more comprehensive transformation of the status quo (D) Signup and view all the answers

What did Briand hope to achieve through the Locarno treaties?

Some security for France and restoration of Anglo-French unity (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did Stresemann's outlook change after the events of 1918 and 1923?

He shifted towards advocating peaceful change (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Locarno era seen as a turning point in international affairs?

It represented a significant movement towards peace in Europe (A) Signup and view all the answers

What approach did France adopt after the Locarno agreements regarding Germany?

Formal industrial and commercial cooperation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a key condition of the Rhineland Pact?

The demilitarization of the Rhineland (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did the Locarno treaties restrict regarding German borders?

Changes to existing Franco-German and Belgo-German frontiers (B) Signup and view all the answers

What common view is proposed by historians concerning the 'Spirit of Locarno'?

It was an illusion of inter-war security (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a limitation of the British guarantee in the Locarno treaties?

It was less comprehensive than earlier agreements (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why did Stresemann accept the Dawes Plan?

It allowed for economic recovery and reduced isolation (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which countries were involved in signing arbitration treaties following the Locarno agreements?

Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, and Czechoslovakia (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Peace and European Reconstruction (1918-1929)

Peace is more than the absence of war; it requires resolving underlying antagonisms, not just ending fighting.
An armistice, achieved through military dominance, necessitates diplomatic efforts to translate battlefield outcomes into political settlements.
Achieving peace after an armistice is a significant modern statesmanship challenge; no guaranteed formula exists.
Peace can be based on hegemony and deterrence or on shared values and goals within a security community.
Stable international systems typically combine both elements.

The "New Diplomacy" and the Breakdown of the Stalemate (1917)

The "old diplomacy" of military alliances, secret treaties, and balance-of-power politics was discredited by WWI.
Some advocated for stronger international laws and a world court, while others sought a global brotherhood of working people.
The stalemate on the military, diplomatic, and domestic fronts created an environment ripe for change, particularly after the Russian and American entries into the war.
Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks, and Woodrow Wilson championed new approaches, both driven by anti-imperialist sentiments.
Lenin sought revolutionary overthrow of capitalism; Wilson aimed to reform the international system through American power.
Wilson's "new diplomacy" emphasized open diplomacy, rule of law, freedom of independent states, and "organized moral force of mankind."

The Armistice and the End of World War I

The Russian Revolution (March 1917) led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.
The Petrograd Soviet demanded peace without annexations or indemnities.
The Bolsheviks seized power in November 1917, initiating Russia's withdrawal from the war.
The Bolsheviks' Decree on Peace called for armistice and a peace settlement without annexations; they also exposed Entente's secret war aims.
The Germans resumed their advance in response to Trotsky's "no war, no peace" stance, forcing Lenin into the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918).

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

This treaty stripped Russia of significant territories (Poland, Baltic States, Ukraine, Finland, Caucasus) turning them into German satellites.
The treaty cost Russia roughly one-third of its population, agricultural land, and industry.
This caused tension between the Bolsheviks and Russia's former Allies triggering intervention.

Wilsonian "New Diplomacy" and the American Entry

The American entry into the war in April 1917 was not immediately decisive but crucial for the Entente.
Wilson's Fourteen Points (January 1918) outlined his vision for a post-war world including open diplomacy, self-determination, and a League of Nations.
Collective security and national self-determination were key tenets.
Wilson's vision represented a reformist approach which contrasted with the Bolshevik's aims
Wilson's efforts were challenged by European skepticism and the desire for 'peace with victory'.

The Paris Peace Settlement

The Paris Peace Conference (January 1919) convened to address the massive destruction of WWI.
Initially led by the "Council of Ten", power shifted to the "Council of Four" (Wilson, Lloyd George, Clemenceau, Orlando).
Critics argue that the Paris peace fell short of a just settlement due to narrow self-interest and cynical approaches.
Limits on the peacemakers’ ability to refashion Europe existed post-war.

The League of Nations

Wilson viewed establishing a League of Nations as his ultimate mission.
The League embodied a compromise between liberal internationalism and sovereign states' limitations.
The League was envisioned as a forum for dispute resolution and collective security.
It included a Council and Assembly, a permanent secretariat, and provisions for arbitration.
Its provisions included promoting open diplomacy, reducing armaments, preserving national sovereignty, and considering collective action against covenant-breakers.

The German Settlement and Reparations

Germany lost significant territory, population, and economic potential.
The Rhineland was demilitarized.
Germany's war guilt and reparations were debated and ultimately settled with ambiguity (requiring further resolution), creating a resentment.
The Allies' inability to agree on reparations burdened Germany with heavy costs, prompting internal disputes within the Entente.

Failures of Inter-Allied Solidarity

America's withdrawal from the post-war order due to Senate rejection of the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations membership.
Soviet isolation due to the struggles of civil war, and a dual-track policy of international revolution and national strength.
Strained relations between states like Britain and France.

The Locarno Era and the Road to Détente

The Dawes Plan, a crucial aspect of European recovery in this critical period, reduced German reparations and fostered stability.
The Locarno Treaties (1925) signaled a Franco-German détente and a wider European security structure.
Key achievements included the Rhineland Pact, affirming border security, and the restoration of Germany to Great Power status.
The Locarno success was fragile based on limited guarantees, and various factors limited these gains.
The Great Depression was still looming on the horizon in the late 1920s.

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Description

This quiz explores the main arguments related to diplomacy, the Concert of Europe, and significant treaties like Brest-Litovsk. It examines models of peace discussed in historical contexts and the implications of Wilson's new diplomacy. Test your knowledge on the essential elements that shaped international order and the failures of past diplomatic structures.