Why Did Russia Protect Itself

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Russia and the Alliance System:
How did Russia protect itself?
Firstly, Russia was seen as strong. However, it’s economic backwardness and poor transport means that it wasn’t. Therefore, it tried to advance its international position without showing weakness.
Disagreement with Germany and Austria:

Russia signed ‘The Three Emperors’ League” in 1881, pledging neutrality if one of remaining two are attacked. In 1887, Austria was stopping Russian advances into Balkan and Germany approved of this stopping. Also, Germany did not renew the Reinsurance neutrality treaty with Russia in 1890.
This ruined relations between Russia and Germany and Austria.
The move towards France:
In 1914 when WWI broke out, Russia fought with Britain and France because …show more content…

Firstly, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 formed the League of Nations. The League promised avoidance of war, disarmament, improved trade, work and living conditions. After a WWI, British people and many others supported the League of Nations. However it is notable that the League of Nations did not have its own armed forces as well as lacked the joining of USA.
Early success:
The League of Nations had a promising start, settling the disputes of Germany and Poland over Upper Silesia and Sweden and Finland over the Aaland islands in 1921. This was used to by the League of Nations Union to promote international relations and collective security.
The League of Nations Union:
Even though membership to the League of Nations union was a quarter million by the 1920s and hit 1 million in 1931, many conservatives distrusted the pacifist sentiment of the League of Nations Union. Even Austen Chamberlain who helped the League of Nations Union said that the executive committee had ‘some of the worst cranks I have ever known”. Despite popularity, conservatives also questioned the ability of the League of Nations to solve disputes due to lack of armed forces and key countries’ support. When the Geneva protocol to place economic sanctions of any state refusing the League’s decision was created, the Conservative government refused to sign it. Germany joined the League in 1926. However, it has to be kept in mind that …show more content…

It seemed to be the end of Franco-German hostility. There was hope for improvements in international relations and it was expressed y many as “the spirit of Locarno”. With hindsight, we can point out threat there was no real substance in the Locarno agreements. However to really understand the 1920s rather than the 1930, we need to understand why Locarno was welcomed by France, Germany and Britain.
What the Locarno treaties said:
1 Guarantee of borders in the West:
The treaty of Mutual Guarantee by which Germany and Belgium, and Germany and France promised not to go to war with each other and to settle all disputes peacefully. Borders set by the Treaty of Versailles were guaranteed as well as the demilitarisation of the Rhineland. Britain and Italy promised military aid if either party was attacked.
2 Germany’s eastern frontiers: some treaties suggested that at an unspecified date, frontiers could be adjusted to Germany’s favour as long s it was negotiated and consulted by France.
3 French alliances:
Alliances between France and Poland, and France and Czechoslovakia were restated. They would come to the aid of the other party if they ere victim of a German

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