Improved International Relations

Stresemann (Foreign Minister) was able to IMPROVE Germany's RELATIONS with Britain & France through:

• REVISING the VERSAILLES settlement, espeically in the EAST.
• He recognised that Germany LACKED the power to CHALLENGE POLAND, never mind Britain & France.
• Therefore, Stresemann decided to use DIPLOMACY.
• He knew it would be difficult due to his ONLY SUPPORT being the the German CULTURE & the German ECONOMY.
• His strategy was in the TRADITION of WIRTH'S fulfilment POLICY- wanting Germany to be a LEADING POWER in Europe.
• Cooperation with the Western powers seemed to be in the SHORT-TERM INTERESTS.

The Locarno Treaties:

• These were SIGNED in December 1925, after MONTHS of NEGOTIATION
• The TREATY of MUTUAL GUARANTEE was signed by Germany, France & Belgium who AGREED to RESPECT their existing FRONTIERS.
  • Britain & Italy ASSUMED the role of GUARANTORS.
• The TREATIES of ARBITRATION:
  • This was signed by Germany, Poland & Czechoslovakia
  • They AGREED to SETTLE FUTURE DISPUTES peaefully.
• However, Germany did NOT accept the finality of its frontiers in the EAST.

How the Locarno Treaties were SUCCESSFUL:

• The Locarno treaties were a success for STRESEMANN as he was NO LONGER diplomatically isolated
• Germany was TREATED as an EQUAL PARTNER again
• Stresemann had CURTAILED France's FREEDOM OF ACTION, by confirming the status quo in the West.
• Therefore, the ANNEXATION of the Rhineland & OCCUPATION of the Ruhr was NO LONGER a LEGITIMATE French option.
• The Treaties indicated a NEW ERA of PEACEFUL CO-OPERATION
• 1926- Germany was COMMITTED to the LEAGUE OF NATIONS- as Stresemann realised that Germany would be BETTER ABLE tp defend its interests from WITHIN THE LEAGUE, than it would outside the League of Nations.
• The RELATIONSHIP between Germany & the Western Powers CONTINUED to IMPROVE

How Stresemann was successful:

• Considering his WEAK POSITION & the INTERNAL & EXTERNAL FORCES AGAINST him, Stresemann had achieved a GREAT DEAL in a SHORT amount of time.
• Stresemann was able to use his CONCILIATORY METHODS, which resulted in Germany REGAINING its DIPLOMATIC INFLUENCE & the ability to INFLUENCE the ALLIES.

EXAGGERATION:

• The success of Stresemann, however, has been EXAGGERATED.
• This is because there is no doubt that CIRCUMSTANCES at the time (Britain & France's cooperation) worked STRONGLY in his FAVOUR.
• Stresemann also FAILED to acheive his aims because:
  • There was NO early RESTORATION of German SOVEREIGNTY over the Saar and the Rhineland
  • Stresemann became INCREASINGLY DISAPPOINTED by the SLOW PACE of REVISION on the Versailles Treaty.
  • His right wing opponents in Germany were EVEN MORE SCATHING of his failure on this score.
  • He was RATED MORE HIGHLY ABROARD than in Germany