International Tensions and Treaties: 1920-1929

Post War Tensions

Rising tensions from reactions to World War I.

U.S. Isolationism

U.S. avoided European involvement post-WWI.

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty ending WWI, rejected by U.S.

League of Nations

International organization U.S. refused to join.

French Insecurity

France felt threatened by U.S. actions.

Soviet Union Formation

Russia became U.S.S.R. under communist rule.

Communist Fears

Nations feared revolutions from Soviet influence.

Germany's War Financing

Germany financed WWI through foreign loans.

Reparations Payments

Germany required to pay war damages.

Hyperinflation in Germany

Dramatic price increases rendered currency worthless.

Weimar Republic Decline

Government struggled with uprisings and economic issues.

Ruhr Crisis (1923)

French occupation due to Germany's unpaid reparations.

Passive Resistance

Germans refused to work during Ruhr occupation.

Effects of Ruhr Crisis

Increased hyperinflation and world tensions.

England's Attitude

Sought trade; opposed French actions in Ruhr.

France's Strategy

Aimed to weaken Germany post-WWI.

Inflation in Italy

Rising prices worsened economic conditions.

Rise of Communism in Italy

Communist parties sought to improve worker rights.

Fascism Characteristics

State control, nationalism, elite power, anti-communism.

Benito Mussolini

Leader of the Italian Fascist Party.

Black Shirts

Fascist party members using violence against enemies.

Fascist Government

Italy's first official fascist regime under Mussolini.

Fiume Crisis

Conflict over the city of Fiume, led by Mussolini.

Corfu Incident

1923 conflict between Italy and Greece over territory.

Fiume Crisis

Italian nationalists seized Fiume in 1919.

Gabriele D'Annunzio

Italian nationalist leader during Fiume Crisis.

Rijeka

Modern name for Fiume, now in Croatia.

Mussolini's Italy

Aggressive foreign policy during the 1920s.

League of Nations

International organization aimed to prevent conflicts.

Boundary dispute

Conflict between Greece and Albania over Corfu.

Reparations

Payments made by Greece to Italy after conflict.

Turkey's defiance

First to break Paris Peace Treaties post-WWI.

Smyrna

City retaken by Turkey from Greece post-WWI.

Washington Naval Conference

1921-22 meeting to limit naval arms race.

Five Power Treaty

Naval limitations signed by five major powers.

Warship limitations

Restrictions on battleship construction and tonnage.

Japan's naval provisions

Limited to 300,000 tons, withdrew from China.

Four Power Treaty

Agreement to respect Pacific states' rights.

Nine Power Treaty

Ensured China's sovereignty and Open Door Policy.

Genoa Conference

1922 meeting to address European economic issues.

Economic Reconstruction

Objective to revive European economies post-WWI.

Debt and Reparations

Discussion of war debts, especially for Germany.

Stabilizing Currencies

Goal to stabilize European financial systems.

International Trade Revival

Aim to restore trade among European nations.

Failures of Genoa Conference

Achieved little; major nations withdrew.

Successes of Washington Conference

General agreements, trade tonnage reductions.

Failures of Washington Conference

No penalties for treaty violations.

Rapallo Pact

1922 agreement between Russia and Germany.

Bolshevik Government

First formal recognition by Germany in 1922.

Krupp Company

German firm that built war materials in Russia.

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty that ended WWI, imposed penalties.

Treaty of Lausanne

1923 treaty ending war between Turkey and allies.

Population Exchange

Transfer of populations between Greece and Turkey.

Red Scare

Public fear of communism and anarchy in U.S.

Comintern

International organization to promote global communism.

Brest-Litovsk Treaty

1918 treaty where USSR exited WWI.

Fear of Communism

Widespread anxiety over communist revolutions.

Economic Failures Post-WWI

Reduced trade and unemployment from returning troops.

French Attitudes towards Germany

Desire to punish Germany for past invasions.

Reparations

Payments imposed on Germany after WWI.

Isolationism

U.S. policy of avoiding international alliances.

Occupation of Ruhr

French occupation due to Germany's reparation defaults.

Territorial Claims Renunciation

Both nations agreed to drop territorial disputes.

Military Cooperation

Germany and Russia collaborated on military training.

Economic Problems from U.S. Loans

Loans led to dependency and repayment issues.

Fearful Poland

Poland felt threatened by surrounding powers.

Changing Relationships (1919-23)

Evolving dynamics among major powers post-WWI.

Failed Peace

Ineffective agreements leading to ongoing tensions.

Hysteria Over Communism

Public panic over potential communist uprisings.

Economic Trade

Desire for stability and growth post-WWI.

Isolation

A state of being separated from international affairs.

League of Nations

International organization aimed at promoting peace.

Greco-Bulgarian Crisis

1925 conflict resolved by the League of Nations.

Permanent Court of International Justice

Established to settle international disputes.

Economic Recovery

Efforts to restore economies post-WWI.

Gold Standard

Currency value linked to gold reserves.

Dawes Plan

1924 plan to restructure German reparations.

Hyperinflation

Rapid increase in prices, devaluing currency.

Locarno Treaties

Agreements to secure post-WWI borders in Europe.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

1928 agreement to renounce war as policy.

Young Plan

1929 plan to further reduce German reparations.

Wall Street Gains

Economic boom in the U.S. during the 1920s.

International Cooperation

Collaboration between nations to resolve issues.

Economic Boom

Period of significant economic growth in the U.S.

French Occupation

Troops in German territories post-WWI.

Investment in Bonds

Government program to stimulate economic recovery.

Minor Disputes

Small conflicts resolved by the League.

International Tensions

Strains between nations affecting peace.

American Loans

Financial assistance that created dependency for Germany.

Social Problems

Issues affecting society post-WWI.

Peace Accords

Treaties aimed at establishing lasting peace.

Locarno Conference

1925 meeting to secure Western European borders.

Gustav Stresemann

German Foreign Minister who proposed the conference.

Participants

Germany, France, Belgium, UK, Italy involved.

Rhineland Pact

Agreement to maintain borders, avoid military aggression.

Arbitration Treaties

Germany's agreements for peaceful dispute resolution.

Mutual Guarantees

Italy and England's promise to aid violated nations.

Territorial Losses

Germany accepted loss of Alsace-Lorraine, Eupen, Malmedy.

Locarno Spirit

Enhanced security and cooperation in Western Europe.

League of Nations

Germany admitted in 1926 for international cooperation.