What was International Diplomacy Like in the 1920s?
The Washington Naval Agreement, 1922
The Washington Naval Agreement, 1922
What is International Diplomacy?
International diplomacy is how countries communicate and work together
This takes the form of negotiating alliances, treaties and agreements
When a country has a friendly foreign policy, international diplomacy is good
When a country has an aggressive foreign policy, they do not want to make compromises, which affects diplomacy
During the 1920s, international diplomacy was good
However, countries made agreements outside of the League’s influence. This was because:
Important nations like the USA, the USSR and Germany were not members
The League was slow at making decisions
The Washington Naval Agreement, 1922
Aims | Countries | Terms | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The USA, Britain, Italy and Japan An additional agreement made with Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and China |
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The Rapallo Treaty, 1922
The Rapallo Treaty, 1922
Aims | Countries | Terms | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany and the USSR |
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|
The Locarno Treaty, 1925
The Locarno Treaty, 1925
Aims | Countries | Terms | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Belgium |
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|

The Dawes Plan, 1925
The Dawes Plan, 1924
Aims | Countries | Terms | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany and the USA Created by Charles G. Dawes, an American banker |
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Diagram of the Dawes Plan

The Dawes Plan was risky
Britain, France and Germany were gambling their economies on the USA’s prosperity
In 1929, Stresemann stated that Germany was “dancing on a volcano”. If the USA recalled the loans or experienced a depression, the ‘volcano’ would erupt and destroy the stability of Weimar Germany
The Young Plan, 1929
The Young Plan, 1929
Aims | Countries | Terms | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany and the USA Created by Owen Young, an American banker |
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How Did International Diplomacy Impact the League of Nations?
The League encouraged other countries to pursue better international relations
The number of treaties agreed upon shows a positive political environment in the 1920s
Even in the 1920s, League members were bypassing the Assembly and Council
The League of Nations discussed issues but rarely developed solutions
League members entered the above treaties independently, not as representatives of the League
Wilson intended the League to lead the way in international agreements. Instead, it gained a reputation of words over actions
During the 1920s, countries began to ignore the League and pursue their own foreign policies