In the 20s of the last century, the diplomats of the leading world powers managed to resolve complex political contradictions peacefully. This time in history is celebrated as a stage of prosperity. A number of signed agreements could provide temporary stability to international relations, bypassing armed conflicts. The rise of industry, the growth of production and consumption, the development of new industries and means of communication had a favorable effect on the way people thought. The period of relatively peaceful coexistence was later defined as the “epoch of pacifism.”
Peaceful way
The word "pacifism" is of Latin origin and literally means "I make peace". Speaking about this phenomenon, first of all, they mean opposition to any cruelty, immorality, physical violence and condemnation of military actions in order to achieve power. Such a view does not justify war under any pretext. Histhe main idea is that an agreement on any issues can be reached peacefully - through negotiations. That's why the 1920s are called the era of pacifism - they were the years of negotiations.
It is curious that at the same time, as an opposition to pacifism in Italy and Germany, fascism and Nazism, which are based on aggression and terror, are gaining strength.
Roots of pacifism
Without a little digression into history, it will be impossible to explain the meaning of the expression "era of pacifism." If earlier the phenomenon we are considering made itself felt in small bursts, then in the 20th century it was possible to observe how the idea of peaceful existence captured entire states.
Pacifism as an ideology has been living for a long time and takes its origins in the religions of different peoples. Even in antiquity, philosophers voiced the ideas of humanity, peace and goodness. Julius Caesar is imbued with them, erecting a temple in honor of the cult of mercy. In Christianity, this thought also occupied a leading position.
However, this phenomenon was alien to the barbarian peoples who inhabited Europe and were used to living in war. Peace was seen by them as a short respite to gain strength and be able to continue to fight further for dominance, resources and influence. With the spread of Christianity, the picture changed little, only now the war was perceived as sacred, as a way to restore justice and peace.
Probably, Germany was guided by this as the main instigator of the First World War of 1914, calling it defensive. Although this issue is highly controversial, and it would be unfairrefer only to the Germans. Each of the participating countries pursued its own interests, be it France or Russia.
Post-war world order
The era of pacifism of the 20th century was a natural consequence of the established interstate relations after the tragic war of 1914-1918, which entailed heavy losses. On the one hand, social upheavals, weakened financial systems and ruined state economies required appropriate conditions for stabilization. On the other hand, the correlation of forces and interests of the great powers changed, and the constantly arising contradictions between them required settlement. All this led to the question of creating a new system of relations that could prevent war or at least reduce risks. And the main role in this process was assigned to the "Big Three" - France, Great Britain and the USA.
The result of two international conferences in 1919-1922 was the Versailles-Washington system, which provided for the equality of all its participants. Of course, this was not the case in reality.
The alignment of forces
The time has come when it seemed that the wars in the world were over. Slogans calling for peace and disarmament sounded everywhere.
The defeated countries, mainly Germany, as well as the disadvantaged participants of the Versailles-Washington conferences (Japan and Italy) did not have sufficient strength for direct objections and resistance to the established order. To achieve their goals, they were forced to use peaceful methods. The era of pacifism gave them time torestoring and strengthening the economy and military power, so that later you can confidently “cast your vote.”
The Soviet Union, engaged in socialist transformations in the country, also needed favorable external conditions. In no case did he need conflicts with the capitalist powers, so he adhered to the principle of peaceful coexistence.
In short, the era of pacifism was the calm before the big storm.
League of Nations
During the Versailles-Washington meetings of 1919-1920. The League of Nations was founded. Its main activity was to ensure security and resolve conflicts by peaceful means. We can say that with the formation of this organization, the beginning of the era of pacifism was laid. Its charter was signed by 44 countries, the Soviet Union was not invited.
The significance of the League of that era is difficult to overestimate: it coped well with its tasks, opposing aggression and keeping peace in every possible way. It has a large number of resolved international conflicts. But as history later showed, not all questions were within her power.
The German problem
Despite all efforts, the stabilization that emerged in the 1920s was very unstable. The measures taken could not calm the deep contradictions that successfully began to hide under the veil of the era of pacifism.
The stumbling block for the leading world powers was the attitude towards the German question. USA and England withFrom the very beginning, they advocated a "strong Germany" as a counterweight to France and Soviet Russia. They pursued an active policy of financing and supporting the German economy, made concessions in some wishes.
France also insisted on the observance of the Treaty of Versailles and opposed all sorts of indulgences to the German revanchists. She understood that the strengthening of Germany in the international arena creates a threat to security and the loss of France's significant positions in Europe. But under pressure from the Anglo-Saxon states, she was forced to moderate her ardor and strengthen the rear with the allied states, signing cooperation agreements.
Thus, the German issue affected the interests of the leading states and created a certain tension.
Herriot formula
France, having changed its position from offensive to defensive, has chosen a new direction in interstate relations - open diplomacy. She came up with a number of projects to ensure international security, the developers of which were two prominent French politicians - E. Heriot and A. Briand.
The essence of Herriot's formula was expressed in three terms: arbitration, security and disarmament. She implied the idea of renunciation of military action as a way to resolve interstate problems.
Members of the League enthusiastically accepted the proposal - the Geneva Protocol of 1924 was signed. But he could not enter into force due to the contradictions of the leading powers, which "stumbled" on the definitions of "offensive" and "defensive" war.
The term “epoch of pacifism” coined by historians for this period, as you understand, is very conditional. Along with loud slogans about peace, serious passions were seething about the division of territories and influence.
British program
England comes forward with its project of maintaining peace in Europe, still based on the principle of the balance of power. She proclaims her openness to negotiations and peaceful diplomacy.
The variant of the European system was presented by British Foreign Secretary Austin Chamberlain. He conditionally divided the states into three camps - the winners, the vanquished and the Soviet Union, arguing that agreements and compromises are possible between the former, while the USSR is a destructive factor.
The uniqueness of Chamberlain's plan lay in the fact that he simultaneously solved all the main tasks: reassuring France about its borders; the introduction of Germany into the Versailles system as a full member; prevention of rapprochement between Russia and Germany.
Locarno Conference
At the international conference in 1925, held in the Swiss city of Locarno, the British program becomes the main topic of discussion. During the meeting, documents regulating relations between the countries were considered and adopted. The most important signed document - the Rhine Pact - was approved by Belgium, France, Germany and the UK. It served as a guarantee of the inviolability of their borders,with the exception of the latter, who acts as an arbiter in these difficult negotiations. In the autumn of 1926, Germany becomes a member of the League of Nations and receives the right to vote in its Council.
The Locarno Accords helped to keep the peace in the era of pacifism, but this peace was so contradictory that it is more characterized as a temporary truce.
Briand-Kellogg Pact
Wishing to restore US participation in solving European problems, French Foreign Minister A. Briand appeals to the American people. He proposes to sign a Franco-American treaty banning war as an instrument of foreign policy. His idea was approved. F. Kellogg, Secretary of State of the United States, in response calls for the conclusion of a multilateral treaty, involving the governments of European states. Germany was the first to react, fully supporting the project. The UK makes a number of comments, as a result of which the document has been finalized and clarified.
August 27, 1928, as a result of lengthy diplomatic negotiations, the Pact of renunciation of war between 15 states was signed. Its universality lay in the fact that not only recognized, but also dependent and semi-colonial countries could join it. The figure of 63 countries at the end of the same year explains this well.
What were the foundations of the era of pacifism
The expression of the ideas of pacifism in the 20s acquired a bright color. Resource depletion and war weariness fueled anti-war sentiment that political leaders did notcould not be taken into account. Some countries were weakened and divided in order to go to conflicts, others strengthened their positions. At this stage, no one needed the war. All this contributed to the relative stabilization in Europe, which later became known as the era of pacifism.
The established world order, despite the positive moments, had significant gaps. Too many states have been placed in a humiliating position before the leading powers. Issues of territorial boundaries and nationalism could not be resolved due to many contradictions and conflicts.
Thus, the era of pacifism did not last as long as its supporters would like. The collapse of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929 marked the beginning of a global economic crisis, political confrontations, a general increase in tension and the threat of a new war.
