Foreign Policy after WW1 Flashcards
(11 cards)
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
28th June 1919.
What did the Treaty of Versailles state?
The terms of the treaty required Germany to pay financial reparations of £6.6bn yearly, as well as to accept responsibility for the war under Article 231.
Who signed the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany and the Allied nations
Why was their conflict in terms of the terms for Germany?
- There was considerable amounts of pressure from coalition MPs and the British press for Lloyd George to push for severe terms for Germany.
-George did not want to damage trade any further and wanted less strict terms
-However he ensured certain essential British aims were met in order to please the people.
What happened to Germany’s colonies after the war?
Despite their lack of money or significance the colonies were distributed between the WW1 victors. The British now had control of the Cameroons, Iraq, Palestine and East Africa.
What was the issue with Britain’s increased empire?
Britain’s increased empire brought with it the need for increased military presence and imperial governance that meant increased spending for a government that did not have enough money.
What was the League of Nations?
Created in the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, the League of Nations was the world’s first international organisation dedicated to peace and security.
What were the limitations of the League of Nations?
-the US Senate refused to ratify any of the peace treaties so it lacked the US support.
-Britain became an essential part of the league however Britain’s position in the league was unfavourable as it prevented them from pursuing completely independent foreign policy.
-The LoN led to an unrealistic belief amongst people that the organisation could help prevent or end wars so therefore did not need to maintain strong defence.
What was the Chanak crisis?
It was a war scare in September 1922 between the UK and the Government of Grand National Assembly in Turkey.
-caused by Turkish efforts to push Greek armies out of Turkey to restore Turkish rule in the Allied-occupied territories.
-Ended with the Conservative’s unwillingness to further confrontation in their decision to move British troops out of Turkey, who were stationed to prevent Turkish forces from remilitarising the zone.
How did the Russian revolution impact foreign policy?
It brought about ideas of intervention against the Bolsheviks, advocated for by people such as Churchill, which they eventually did but were forced to withdraw. This led to relations with Communist Russia being soured for many years to come.
How did Lloyd George’s handling of Foreign Policy contribute to his downfall?
- Conservatives began to lose faith in him specifically after the Chanak Crisis, as George had called for war so soon after WW1.
- The Unionists were also outraged by his generous treatment of the defeated Germany, and later for the establishment of diplomatic relations with Russia.
-George argued that these developments were essential for the long-term preservation of peace in Europe and the rebuilding of its Economy, shattered by war. Despite George’s accuracy, the Conservatives’ fear of socialism clouded their far-sightedness, and as a result stopped supporting Lloyd George.
