Tuesday, October 14, 2025

The Explorers' Club, № MCXVI

Operation AXIOM: Between the Wars—The Locarno Pact, Part I
5-16 October 1925: Germany negotiated treaties with France, Great Britain, Italy, Belgium, Poland, & Czechsolvakia, agreeing to the French & Belgian borders as set out in the Versailles Treaty, & the demilitarization of the Rhineland; Austen Chamberlain of Great Britain, Aristide Briand of France, & Gustav Stresemann of Germany won the Nobel Peace Prize; Germany joined the League of Nations.
Commentary: In 1919, Germany was not a party to negotiating the Treaty of Versailles; the Germans were presented with the completed treaty as a take-it-or-leave-it proposition (with the threat that if you leave it, the French will invade). The "Spirit of Locarno" greatly improved foreign relations throughout Europe & marked Germany's readmission to the community of nations.

Lest we forget.

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