Locarno Treaties

Fig. 1 The Treaty of Versailles.

In 1923, German statesman Gustav Stresemann became the Foreign Chancellor of the Weimar Republic. During his 6-year term, Stresemann sought to rebuild Germany and restore the country's place on the international stage.

Stresemann understood that Germany was in no state to contest the Treaty of Versailles. He believed that collaboration with Germany's European compatriots was the only way to improve the country's international standing. Stresemann's policy of cooperation with Britain and France was known as Erfüllungspolitik.

Stresemann's policy of Erfüllungspolitik meant he met with Great Britain, France, Italy, and Belgium in the Swiss city of Locarno in October 1925. The series of agreements between the nations – the Locarno Treaties – was an unprecedented step forward for Germany's international ambitions.

Locarno Treaty Terms

Let's look at the three main terms agreed upon at Locarno.

Germany's Western Borders

The Treaty of Versailles saw Germany lose approximately 10% of its territory. Germany ceded Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen-Malmedy to Belgium, West Prussia to Poland, and the Sudetenland to Czechoslovakia. Unsurprisingly, the German people viewed these terms as humiliating, with many groups refusing to accept such territorial losses.

The Locarno Treaties meant Gustav Stresemann recognised Germany's Western border as stipulated in the Treaty of Versailles. Germany, France, and Belgium agreed that their shared border was unalterable. Furthermore, Great Britain and Italy agreed to use military force if this frontier was attacked.

Despite confirming Germany's Western border, the Locarno Treaties failed to address Germany's Eastern border. This led many Germans to believe that their Eastern border with Poland and Czechoslovakia was negotiable.

The Rhineland

One of the critical terms of the Treaty of Versailles was the permanent demilitarisation of the Rhineland – a strip of mineral-rich land between Germany and Belgium. The Locarno Treaty reiterated that the Rhineland would remain permanently demilitarised.

Also agreed at Locarno was the withdrawal of Allied troops from the Rhineland. British, American, Belgium, and French soldiers had occupied the Rhineland since 1918 to ensure French security against Germany. It was agreed that these troops would withdraw in 1930, five years earlier than planned.

Arbitration Treaties with Poland and Czechoslovakia

Germany's Western border with France and Belgium was confirmed as unchangeable, with Great Britain and Italy guaranteeing to protect the frontier through military means if necessary. While Germany's Eastern boundary was not affirmed at Locarno, Germany signed arbitration treaties with Czechoslovakia and Poland.

It was agreed that future disagreements would be resolved peacefully through an arbitration tribunal such as the Permanent Court of International Justice. France also made agreements with Czechoslovakia and Poland, pledging to support the countries if Germany invaded them.

Fig 3. The Permanent Court of International Justice

Effects Of The Locarno Treaties on Germany

The Locarno Treaties had a significant impact on Germany:

• For the first time since the war, Germany was treated as an equal by its fellow European powers.

• A year after the Locarno Treaties, Germany was admitted into the League of Nations. This marked Germany's return to the international stage.

• By proving itself compliant, Germany's relationship with Britain, France, Italy, and Belgium improved.

• Unlike the Versailles negotiations, Germany was very much present at Locarno. This meant that the German people were more willing to accept the terms of the Treaty.

• Extremist groups in Germany regarded the Locarno Treaties as a betrayal because they accepted the oppressive terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Locarno Treaty Significance

The Locarno Treaties marked a significant improvement in relations between Germany and its First World War rivals. United by the so-called 'spirit of Locarno', the treaties transformed European politics and ushered in a period of peace that would last until 1930.

The agreements made at Locarno were deemed so significant that Austin Chamberlain, Aristide Briand, and Gustav Stresemann – three of the lead negotiators of the pact – were awarded Nobel Peace Prizes in 1926.

The Breakdown of the Locarno Treaties

On 7 March 1936, Hitler deployed 22,000 German troops into the Rhineland. This directly violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties. Hitler's aggressive foreign policy didn't end there. He annexed Austria in March 1938, occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939, and invaded Poland in September 1939. The 'spirit of Locarno' had officially ended, and the Second World War began.