Treaty of Rapallo (1922) Worksheets
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Summary
- German-Russian relations after the First World War
- The Genoa Conference and the road to Rapallo
- Provisions of the treaty
Key Facts And Information
Let’s find out more about the Treaty of Rapallo (1922)!
After the First World War, Germany and Russia were left vulnerable and internationally isolated. Both nations sought to rebuild their economies and re-establish relations with other states. During the Genoa Conference, which aimed to address Europe’s postwar economic problems, Germany and Russia negotiated secretly and signed the Treaty of Rapallo on 16 April 1922 in the Italian town of Rapallo. The agreement restored diplomatic relations, cancelled all war-related financial claims between the two countries, and promoted economic cooperation. This upset Western powers, as it challenged the postwar diplomatic order in Europe.
German and Russian delegation at the Genoa Conference, 1922
German-Russian relations after the First World War
- When the First World War began in 1914, Germany and Russia became major enemies. Russia joined the Triple Entente with France and Britain, while Germany fought with the Central Powers, mainly alongside Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. In fact, Germany and Russia fought massive battles across Eastern Europe, including the Battle of Tannenberg and the First Battle of the Masurian Lakes.
- By 1917, Russia was suffering from military defeats, economic collapse and political unrest. This led to the Russian Revolution, which ultimately overthrew the tsar.
- The Soviet leadership saw a successful socialist revolution in Germany as a key step in the “world revolution”. However, all attempts to establish soviet-style republics in Germany were limited, brief, or completely unsuccessful.
- The new Bolshevik government was compelled to enter into the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918) with Germany, which stipulated that Russia would exit the First World War and that Germany would gain huge territories in Eastern Europe. This treaty effectively ended the conflict between the two countries.
- The First World War had unfortunate consequences for both Germany and Russia. In fact, both countries were left vulnerable and internationally isolated after the conflict.
- After its defeat in 1918, Germany was bound by the Treaty of Versailles (1919), which imposed territorial losses, military restrictions, heavy reparations payments, and loss of colonies. These conditions left Germany diplomatically marginalised and economically weakened.
- Meanwhile, Russia faced diplomatic isolation by Western powers, economic disruption, and hostility toward communism from many European states.
- Russia had previously exited the war through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which further complicated relations with other countries.
- Germany initially sought peaceful revision of the Treaty of Versailles, primarily aiming to regain western Poland.
- After an initial conciliatory approach failed in 1919, Germany imposed an unsuccessful economic blockade on Poland in 1920, resulting in losses for German businessmen.
- These failures prompted Germany to seek other options, including an extreme proposal for a German-Russian alliance to invade Poland and then fight France.
- Whilst this plan did not become official policy, the idea of cooperation with Russia gained traction, particularly among German businessmen, seeing market opportunities.
- Like Germany, Russia desired territorial gains from Poland but lacked effective means. The Polish-Soviet War erupted in early 1919 over border disputes. Despite initial Russian wins, a successful Polish counterattack led to a compromise peace in 1921, leaving many Soviet goals for border revision unmet. The war also further isolated Russia from Britain and France.
- Germany and Russia shared a mutual interest in revising the situation in Poland and were both isolated internationally, leading to a natural affinity. Russia, aiming to secure vital industrial materials, decided at the Tenth Party Conference in 1921 to pursue trade opportunities with Western nations. Prior to this, their shared concerns resulted in a treaty in May 1921. In this agreement, Germany recognised the Soviet regime as Russia’s sole legitimate government and agreed to cease relations with any other Russian groups claiming authority.
The Genoa Conference and the road to Rapallo
- British Prime Minister David Lloyd George and French Prime Minister Aristide Briand were concerned that the 1919 Treaty of Versailles was too harsh on Germany, potentially hindering its economic recovery and harming Europe. Seeking a diplomatic success to stabilise their political positions, they convened an international Economic and Financial Conference of 34 nations in Genoa, Italy, in April 1922. The United States declined the invitation. Germany and Soviet Russia were invited by the British prime minister.
- Lloyd George, overly confident, attended the Genoa Conference without senior British Foreign Office staff. Meanwhile, the new French Prime Minister, Raymond Poincaré, was aggressively anti-German, viewing existing reparations as too lenient.
- Poincaré proposed a secret plan that Germany would pay new reparations to Russia, who would then use the funds to repay old Tsarist debts to Western interests.
- Russia, isolated for refusing to honour these debts, was now focused on economic development under Vladimir Lenin’s New Economic Policy, necessitating extensive foreign trade.
- Russia was already secretly collaborating militarily with Germany, making it amenable to a friendly deal. France was also attempting to control Russian trade.
- German officials were split between “Easterners” favouring Russia and “Westerners” prioritising relations with Britain and France. The German Foreign Minister, a “Westerner”, headed the German delegation but remained open to argument.
Participants at the 1922 Genoa Conference
- Whilst the Genoa conference stalled, the Russian and German delegations secretly met in Rapallo. They quickly signed a treaty establishing mutual diplomatic recognition, cancelling mutual debts, and promising increased economic ties.
Provisions of the Treaty of Rapallo
- The Treaty of Rapallo, signed in Rapallo on 16 April 1922 and ratified in Berlin on 31 January 1923, established a secret military cooperation between Germany and Russia, disguised by diplomatic cover.
- It was registered in the League of Nations Treaty Series on 19 September 1923. This alliance allowed Germany to circumvent restrictions and rebuild its military capabilities on Russian soil. Key facilities established in Russia included a flying school at Lipetsk, a chemical weapons plant at Volsk, a tank school near Kazan, and two tank production factories near Moscow and Rostov-on-Don.
Provisions of the treaty
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- Article 1: Germany and Soviet Russia agreed to fully settle disputes arising from their wartime conflict. Both sides cancelled financial claims related to wartime damage, prisoners of war, and wartime legal disputes.
- Article 2: Germany accepted the Soviet confiscation of German property, provided Russia would not compensate other countries for similar claims.
- Article 3: The two countries officially recognised each other again and reopened diplomatic relations.
- Article 4: Germany and Soviet Russia promised equal treatment in trade and legal matters, with exceptions for Soviet internal arrangements.
- Article 5: Both states committed to friendly economic cooperation and support for trade and private business deals.
- Article 6: Most of the treaty became effective immediately, while a few provisions require formal ratification.
- The treaty was extended to include Germany’s relations with the other Soviet republics of Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, through a supplementary agreement signed in Berlin on 5 November 1922. Ratifications were exchanged in Berlin on 26 October 1923, and the supplementary protocol was registered in the League of Nations Treaty Series on 18 July 18, 1924. The Treaty of Berlin (1926) later reaffirmed this agreement.
Provisions of the supplementary agreement
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- Article 1: Rapallo’s provisions were extended to Germany’s relations with several Soviet republics allied with Russia.
- Article 2: Disputes arising from the time German forces were present in Ukraine would be decided later.
- Article 3: Citizens of either side living in the territory of the other would receive legal protection and rights over their property.
- Article 4: Soviet republics were allowed to set up official trade offices in Germany to handle economic relations.
- Article 5: Economic agreements between German and Soviet parties should follow the laws of the country where they are signed and could include arbitration provisions.
- Article 6: Former German citizens were allowed to leave Soviet territory and return to Germany with their families.
- Article 7: Officials, delegations, and staff from both sides should not engage in propaganda or political agitation against the government or institutions of the country where they are stationed.
- Article 8: Either side may end the treaty with notice, and a commission will settle unfinished business agreements.
- Article 9: The treaty became valid once Germany and each Soviet republic formally ratified it.
- The Treaty of Rapallo helped both Germany and Russia break out of diplomatic isolation after the First World War by restoring relations and encouraging trade. However, it undermined restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, including through secret military training and weapons development in Soviet territory.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Treaty of Rapallo (1922)
- What was the Treaty of Rapallo (1922)?The Treaty of Rapallo was an agreement signed on 16 April 1922 between Germany and Soviet Russia, restoring diplomatic relations and strengthening economic cooperation.
- Why was the Treaty of Rapallo important?It allowed both Germany and Soviet Russia, isolated after World War I, to rebuild relations, cooperate economically, and challenge their diplomatic isolation.
- What was the long-term significance of the Treaty of Rapallo?It marked a shift in international relations, showing that excluded nations could form alliances and cooperate outside the existing diplomatic system.