in August 1928 in the capital of France was adopted by the Kellogg-Briand Pact, in which the allies assumed the obligation not to wage war against each other.Despite the fact that the agreement by and large had a formal character, he largely contributed to the development of inter-state law.
political situation
International relations in the 1920s of the last century kept on two very controversial concept.The first of these was based on the dissemination and promotion of pacifist ideas.After the completion of the First World War, during which has been applied a number of innovations in the field of deadly weapons, each of the victorious countries, one after another publicly declared that from now on, it seeks only peace, and put forward suggestions on the need for disarmament.
second concept was the opposite of the first.Speaking of the world, the leadership of these countries continue to accumulate service.At the same time they tried to convince the public that everything is being done only in order to secure a guarantee of safety.They pointed out that not only potential rivals, but allies are unwilling to disarm.
theory of collective security
previously adopted Versailles-Washington system of relations between the two countries established a certain inequality regarding the distribution of weapons and further talks about this only exacerbates it.But in 1925, the countries have been able to sign the Geneva Protocol banning the use of bacteriological and chemical weapons.
In addition, the Locarno conference, held in the same year, adopted a system of guarantees of the state borders, and a number of mutual agreements states that all disputes between them will be resolved only through arbitration.Then it seemed that these commitments are opening a path to peaceful relations, as well as to the theory of collective security.
Offer Briand
At the same time all over the world shirilos new mass movement.His aim was the announcement of all wars is the law.In Anglo-Saxon countries, this movement has been especially developed.Therefore, the then French Foreign Minister Briand, go to meet a wide public opinion, decided to bring to the resolution of European problems the United States.I must say that this has been done, as opposed to the UK.
In April 1927, Bryant signed an address to the American people.In it, he offered to make an agreement between France and the United States, which said banning the use of military action as a method of implementation of the national policy.In fact, this appeal was written by a professor at Columbia University, James Shotwell.With this agreement, the French government sought to ensure that its policies favorable attitude of the world community, which would help to significantly strengthen the position of the state in Europe.
Promotion Project
idea of the French Minister has approved US Secretary of State Kellogg.But he suggested not to sign a bilateral treaty, and multilateral, and turned to the proposal to the other European leaders.Germany was the first to support the American project.
It should be noted that the proposal Kellogg created some legal difficulties for a number of countries wishing to join the League of Nations.This was true of Article 16 st.It said that as the sanctions against the country, the invader does not exclude the use of military force.
Kellogg-Briand Pact caused the most dissatisfaction with the government of England.It stated that it will not allow the slightest intervention of someone else in the circle of its national interests.So, the British authorities in advance reserved their right to carry out military operations in areas of particular importance for the country.
England was also strongly disagrees with the fact that the signing was attended by the state, have not received until now universal recognition.First of all, it was a young Soviet country since the year before their diplomatic relations were severed.That is why Britain was opposed to the Soviet Union signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact.History of Russia and later the Soviet Union, a lot of evidence of the fact that many European countries belonged to its northern neighbor with some apprehension and even hostility.
changes in the contract
Soon, the French government presented a new version of the project.Now, the Kellogg-Briand Pact in 1928 to grant the right to self-defense of States, but only within the framework of existing agreements.The leaders of Italy and Japan welcomed the first edition of this document and adopted it as the final destruction of the possibility of the outbreak of war.
month later US Secretary of State published its updated draft and sent it to the governments of 14 countries.In it, he specified that the rejection of military action concerns only the relations between the Powers which have signed the treaty.All other countries were not taken into account.Diplomatic correspondence relating to the interpretation of such expressions as "outlaw war" lasted for a month.
Finally, the Kellogg-Briand Pact August 27, 1928 has been finally approved and signed in Paris on 15 of the guidelines.The list includes the United States, Canada, South Africa, Germany, France, Belgium, Australia, Ireland, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, New Zealand, India, Poland and Japan.
What was in the contract document itself
formed from joining two major articles.The first said that the party strongly condemned the use of military action to deal with various international disputes and strongly reject them as a tool for the implementation of public policies.In the second article on all parties to recognize that for the resolution of international conflicts and disputes will resort exclusively to peaceful means.
Opportunities
Besides 15 states have already signed the agreement, the Kellogg-Briand Pact in 1928 gave the right to accede to it as the semi and dependent countries.August 27 The United States sent 48 States not participating in the negotiations, a proposal for terms of contract.
the Soviet Union was the first of a list of additional invitations that ratified an international agreement.In February, 1929 in Moscow, it was adopted a protocol in which the Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia and Romania, and later Iran, Lithuania and Turkey announced that they enter into force the Kellogg-Briand Pact.For other countries, the treaty entered into force on July 24, that is,six months later.
Relevance
First of all, the treaty has helped to find common ground in such countries as Germany and France.When German Chancellor Gustav Stresemann came to Paris to sign the Kellogg-Briand Pact, it raised the question of the occupied at the time of the Rhineland.I must say that it has already been partly solved the Locarno Agreement, but was limited to the articles contained in the Treaty of Versailles.In the latter document stated that the occupation was to last until 1935.According to the Chancellor, after the ratification of the treaty the presence of foreign troops on German soil have made no sense.Therefore, during the Hague Conference, it was decided on the withdrawal of Allied troops from the Rhineland.
should be noted that adoption of the Kellogg-Briand Pact was of great social and moral value, as well as contributed to the significant development of inter-state law.But, nevertheless, this document was only declarative, he wore formal.To sign the agreement, the country does not have reinforced their commitment to abandon hostilities and did not limit the arms race.Reservations Britain and France were not fixed in the contract, and in fact the country reserved the right to wage war in self-defense.
