Practice Paper 1 - peacemaking/peacekeeping international relations 1918-36

1. (a) Source E elaborates the terms set in the Treaty of Lorcano. In the treaty, the politicians agreed that the states bordering the Rhineland would abjure the use of force on each other in hopes to gain the territory. They also agreed to demilitarize the Rhineland and western frontiers and wrote terms for Germany's admission into the League of nations. These actions were significant because Germany's willingness to concede and join the League of Nations was seen as a contribution to European security. The countries also agreed on the evacuation of the Rhineland before 1930 in the treaty.

(b) Source D is a cartoon depicting France's desire to strenthen the League of Nations' covenant by regulating that if any members are attacked, all other members would assist in defense for that member. The cartoon shows Aristide Briand, Austen Chanmberlain, and Gustav Stresemann putting all hand in to cheer on the new protocol, however, Briand is wearing a baseball glove behind his back. This conveys the goals of Briand to appear civil and peaceful while secretly planning an offensive attack.

2. In sources B and C, discussing the Treaty of Lorcano, both sources agree on its effect on increased security between Germany and France as well as general security among nations. Both sources also believe that the Treaty provides for a means of peaceful settlement of disputes between Germany and other countries. Both sources believe that the Treaty of Lorcano provided for settlement between European countries.

The sources differ, however on the repercussions of the Treaty. Source B argues that the world after the Treaty of Lorcano was not far from agreements betweens governments to exterminate war completely. Source C, however, argues that the Treaty is likely to be impracticle in application. Also, while Source B discusses the effects of the Treaty of Lorcano on the world, Source C elaborates on the effects of the Treaty on Britain and France, deeming that the Treaty precluded any joint military alliance discussion.

3. Source A - Source A is an extract from a speech given by Gustav Stresemann on October 16, 1925, shortly after signing the Lorcano Treaty. The purpose of this speech is to outline the political advantages of signing the treaty and the profound hope that there would be more peace to come. This source is valuable in that it outlines Stresemann's opinions regarding the Treaty of Lorcano from a first hand perspective. This source is limited in that it does not place the Treaty in historical context. Also, because it is a public speech, a lot of Stresemann's motives and personal opinions are most likely censored.

Source C - Source C is an extract from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office website. The purpose of this document is to elaborate the effects of the Lorcano Treaty on British, French, and German relations. The value of this source lies in its focus on France's motives for signing the Lorcano Treaty. The source also outlines the repercussions of the Treaty. This source is limited in the sense that it does not place the event in historical context, nor does it include an author or reputable source.

4. The Lorcano Conference of 1925 was a convergence of major European powers and aggressors during WWI to determine the ramifications in terms of land redefinition. The culminating Treaty of Lorcano established the set borders for western Europe but left eastern territories less established. The Treaty greatly affected Germany, but marginally impacted smaller nations as well. Upon signing the treaty on December 1, many European nations felt they were on their way to peace, however agression was slowly building internally.
Following the signing of the Treaty of Lorcano, many nations were optimistic that the Treaty would lead to peacemaking and peacekeeping worldwide. Source A, an exerpt from a speech by Stresemann after signing the treaty, demonstrates the idealism of the signing nations, at least publicly, of the positive repercussions of the Treaty. Source B, a speech also elaborates the world's hope that such a treaty could be responsible for bringing nation's one step closer to life without war. However, beneath the initial excitement, many were skeptical of the Treaty and it's ultimate impact. Source C, an extract from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, elaborates the wrench that the Treaty of Lorcano put between a potential British-French alliance. Source D, a political cartoon, depicts the signing of the Treaty of Lorcano with Chamberlain, Stresemann, and Briand's hands all in with one of Briand's hands behind his back with a boxing glove on. This shows the predicted outcome of the suppresion of Germany. Finally, Source E, an extract from a novel about Germany, outlines the terms of the Treaty of Lorcano and their rigorous pressure on Germany.
While initially optimistic about the impact of the Treaty of Lorcano, many nations realized that the Treaty would have many long term ramifications.