Pact of Locarno

The pact of Locarno, also known as the Locarno Treaty, was first discussed on October 16, 1925, at Locarno, Switzerland. It was officially signed on December 1, 1925, in London. The Locarno agreement was signed among Germany, Britain, Italy, Belgium, and France. Gustav Stresemann (1878-1929), the foreign minister and chancellor of the Weimar Republic, was responsible for the pact of Locarno. His main objective was to restore the power, prosperity, and international status of Germany through his foreign policy. 

The Weimar Republic was nearly on the verge of collapse in 1923, but unexpectedly, the crisis marked the start of an era of stability and success. From 1923 to 1929, Germany's economy thrived and its cultural life flourished. It is known as the Weimar Golden Age.

This dramatic turnaround occurred because two men, Gustav Stresemann and Charles Dawes, saved Germany.

Who was Gustav Stresemann?

A nationalist and politician Gustav Stresemann realized that something had to be done to save Germany. He was the most powerful politician between 1923 and 1929, but he only lasted a few months as the Chancellor of a coalition government. From 1923 to 1929, he served as Foreign Minister and was a key member of every government.

In 1923, Stresemann organized the Great Coalition of moderate, pro-democracy parties in the Reichstag. Finally, Germany had a government with the authority to enact legislation. Under Stresemann's leadership, the government called off the strike, convinced the French to leave the Ruhr, and changed the currency to the Rentenmark, which aided in resolving hyperinflation. Stresemann also implemented reforms to support ordinary people with job centres, unemployment compensation, and better housing, etc.

Under the leadership of Stresemann and Dawes, the economy of the government had the following successes.

• The economy improved as a result of lower unemployment, increased factory output, and increased confidence.

• The number of votes cast for political parties supporting democracy and the Weimar Republic increased.

• In comparison to the parties supporting the Weimar Republic, the Communists and Nazis fared poorly in elections. In 1928, the Nazis had only 12 seats in the Reichstag.

Stresemann was well aware, however, that Germany was in no position to challenge the Allies' military power and revise the Treaty of Versailles, forcefully. Stresemann instead pursued a policy of cooperation with the West, as well as a mix of reconciliation and pressure on the other international powers.

Stresemann had realized that the other countries could not afford to let Germany's economy collapse entirely. His strategy was known as Erfüllungspolitik or fulfilment, and it entailed complying with or fulfilling the terms of the Treaty of Versailles in order to improve relations with Britain and France. A series of meetings with foreign ministers was held as part of his fulfilment policy, and the Locarno pact was one of them.

(Image will be uploaded soon)

What were the aims of the Locarno Pact?

The Locarno pact 1925 had three main objectives. 

• To secure the borders of the European countries post World War I. Here, Germany had agreed to the border with France, consequently, France agreed to be in peace with Germany.

• To ensure the demilitarization of the Rhineland, permanently. This condition of the pact of Locarno was argued for by France. In the previous century, Germany had invaded France several times, hence France was already weary about the military force of Germany.

• To initiate negotiations of allowing Germany to become a part of the League of Nations. 

(Image will be uploaded soon)

As a result of the pact, Germany’s western borders were accepted by Stresemann. Apart from facilitating self-defence, all nations had decided to repudiate the use of force and invasion against one another. This pact had reassured France that its borders would be safely maintained. Germany had signed arbitration treaties with Czechoslovakia and Poland, renouncing the use of force and military power. It had promised to refer any further disputes to an arbitration tribunal. Otherwise, it would refer its future disputes to the Permanent Court of International Justice. However, this did not have any impact on Germany accepting its eastern borders. 

Impact of the Locarno Pact 1925

Until 1930, the Treaties improved relations between European countries. It led to the belief that any future disputes would be settled peacefully. This is often referred to as the Locarno spirit. When Germany joined the League of Nations in 1926, this was reinforced even more.

In December 1925, the Allies evacuated Cologne, which they had occupied previously. The Nobel Peace Prize had been awarded to the treaty's lead negotiators, Chamberlain in 1925 and Briand and Stresemann in 1926.

Relationship among the League of Nations

Gustav Stresemann planned to steer Germany into the League of Nations as part of his fulfilment policy. The Treaty of Versailles established this international organization, which Germany joined in September 1926. The Locarno Pact could not be implemented unless Italy joined the League.

As a permanent member of the Council of the League, Germany was given great power status and the power to veto decisions. Due to the military constraints imposed at Versailles, Germany was not permitted to participate in the League's collective action against aggressors. Thereafter, Germany used its position as a permanent member to advocate for issues of German concern within the League.

Investment of the United States of America

Germany received 135 long-term loans totalling USD 1,430 million between 1924 and 1930. The United States contributed USD 1,293 million. They also received USD 1,560 million in short-term loans. American loans were made directly by the government and by private investors. They were loaned to both the German federal and state governments in order to fund various spending programs, like housing, etc. Loans from the United States were also made to private companies to help them grow. American corporations such as GE and General Motors made direct investments in Germany. They provided assistance to 79 businesses, and many factories were also constructed. Americans received payments of interest on their loans or bonuses from their investments as a result of this investment.

Stresemann signed the Pact because he believed it would reduce the likelihood of a military conflict in Europe. Stresemann got the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to the development of Germany's foreign relations, in 1926. However, apart from Stresemann's personal glory, the signing of the Locarno Pact demonstrated that Germany was beginning to be treated as an equal partner in foreign affairs. The agreement was reached with Germany rather than being imposed on it, as was the Treaty of Versailles. As a result, many moderate Germans trusted Stresemann and the Weimar Republic more. 

The Nazis and Communists, and other extremist parties, on the other hand, continued to despise the Republic and saw the Locarno Pact as a further betrayal of Germany, as it confirmed many of the points of the despised Treaty of Versailles.