britaina nd disarmament

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In what ways and with what success did successive British governments seek to promote disarmament and international harmony? 

One of the core aims of British governments throughout the 1920s was the prevention of war. After the First World War it became a widespread opinion that weapons and possession of weapons were the causes of war; without weapons, war would become very difficult. For this reason much energy was devoted to disarmament, or at the very least arms limitation amongst the great military powers of the time. In this regard, there was very limited success by British governments, and for every successful disarmament treaty, there were many failed ones. ‘International Harmony’ is defined as a state in which countries have reached mutual agreements to the effect that pacifism was to be held central to all foreign relations. In this respect, in the 1920s, especially towards the end of the decade, there was again measured success. The re-evaluation of the reparations bill improved relations with Germany, whilst considerable efforts were made to reach an entente (or ‘understanding’) with France and improve relations with the USSR.

Following the war and the failures of the treaty that caused French occupation of the Ruhr, the Locarno meeting looked to prevent this from happening, and to prevent the countries (Belgium, France Germany) from going to war with each other. But in a sense the Locarno meeting created an illusion of peace because the pact wanted to avoid war, but by only threatening to cause a war with any of the countries who break the agreement, which could undermine the whole peace myth.

But since the war there have been huge attempts at peace and international harmony, with some successes, such as:

  • The 5 power standard Involved United States, Great Britain, Japan, France, and Italy. Which meant Warships would be scrapped until a ratio of 5:5:3 existed among U.S., Great Britain, and Japan
  • Four-Power Treaty- Japan, Great Britain, United States, and France agree to respect one another’s territory in the Pacific.  Which brought a sense of harmony in the world?
  • Kellogg Briand pact- French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand proposed that the U.S. and France agree to outlaw war as a way of resolving differences Sec. of State Frank Kellogg proposes that all nations be included. 62 eventually sign
  • The most noticeable was the Locarno agreement.
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The Locarno treaty is an example of foreign policy at its most successful in ensuring international harmony in Europe. The treaty was crafted by Gustav Streseman, the German Foreign Affairs Minister, and in early 1925 the idea was put to the British. Austin Chamberlain, British Foreign Secretary, was in the midst of trying to create an Alliance with France, but was forced to withdraw these plans and instead accept the treaty of Locarno. The Locarno treaty proposed that the borders of France, Germany and Belgium would be guaranteed by all signatory nations including Britain and Italy, as well as Germany, ...

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