The Genoa Conference

The Genoa Conference: British Attitude

- British Prime Minister Lloyd George was convinced that to ensure European economic revival Europe must consist of a group of industrial nations and rebuilding the Soviet Union would be a part of this. This would then create an economic boom which would subsequently ensure German reparations payments as it would benefit them. - George and the rest of Europe did not fully understand at the time that the Soviet Union would represent a new kind of state, that might be unwilling to work together and trade with other nations. Therefore he believed if the Bolsheviks succeeded to win the civil war they would be open to international help and cooperation.

The Genoa Conference: Main

The Genoa conference was held in April 1922 between 32 different countries to discuss the european economy after the First World War and the rebuilding of Eastern-Europe, as well as negotiating with the Soviet Union to pull them back into the world trade.

The Genoa Conference: The Rapallo Treaty

The Soviets attended the conference, however they were suspicious of the plans being made to open up their economy to foreign capital. Nevertheless they left the conference feeling triumphant, together with Germany they agreed on the Rapallo Agreement. This agreement benefited both nations; - It wrote of any financial claims on the other nation from the First World War - Germany would consult with Moscow before becoming involved with international affairs regarding the Soviet economy - 2000 German engineers went to work in Soviet industry German soldiers were trained in the Soviet Union , getting around the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles The Rapallo Treaty crushed George's plans of international cooperation with the Soviet Union .

The Genoa Conference: French Attitude

The new French prime minister as well as foreign minister, Raymond Poincaré, reluctantly agreed to holding the conference, where both Germany and the Soviet Union would be present. However he vetoed against any concessions being made on the reparations.