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Washington Conference
Conference was called very much at the initiative of the US government, whith the US secretary of State, Charles Evans Hughes, played the leading role once it convened, putting forward proposals for naval disarmament. -
USA's 'Open-Door' Policy
Nine-Power treaty focused on the position and status of China and its relations with the international community. China was unhappy with the Washington Treaties (did not immediately bring about an end to the system of unequal treaties -
London Naval Conference
Attended by the USA, France, Britain, Italy and Japan. Extend both the duration and terms of the Washington Naval Treaties. USA and Britain were looking to avoid the expense of a naval race by establishing limitations on cruisers and submarines. France and Italy refused to sign any agreement. US- British- Japanese Agreement on Cruisers. -
Geneva Disarmament Conference
5 years of preparing for this disarmament conference. The underlying issue and obstacle to agreement at Geneva was the balance of military fores between France and Germany. German government (before the rise of Hitler) insisted on parity with France.
French representatives at the Disarmament Conference insisted that they would not agree to any scheme that gave Germany military parity with France unless:
1) Cast-iron guarantees over inspection and verification procedures were put in place first -
Germany leaves the Disarmament Conference and the League
Disarmament Conference reconvened in October 1933, Hitler withdrew from the Disarmament Conference, suing France's refusal to allow German parity as an excuse. It also gave notice that Germany would leave the League of Nations.
Hitler now felt free to rearm openly. German rearmament was stepped up in 1933-1934. -
Hitler publicly and decisively repudiated the military restrictions laid down at Versailles.
Reintroduction of conscription and that he would build up a peacetime army of 550,000 men.