To what extent did the issue of reparations dominate European affairs during the post-war period?.
During the post-war period reparations almost dominated European affairs. Reparations affected many different countries in Europe mainly Germany, France, Britain and Russia. Many of the conferences and agreements held at this time were the outcome of reparations. The Genoa conference, the Russo-German relations, Dawes plan and the young plan are all events reparations caused that dominated European affairs in this period.
After the First World War Germany was faced with the Treaty of Versailles, Germany had no choice but to accept the terms. Article 231 stated that Germany should accept war guilt; they were blamed for starting the war. As a result of this they were forced to pay reparations to the allies. A reparations commission would be set up to decide the amount that Germany would pay. This started to dominate European affairs because each country had a different reason for wanting reparations from Germany. Britain wanted economic rehabilitation, before the war Germany was her biggest trading partner and had lost a large amount of money during the war. France wanted the most money from Germany and wanted to destroy her. Many conferences were held until the final amount was decided in April 1921. The amount decided was £6.600 million; this would be paid in annual installments, some cash and some goods. .
Reparations led to economic difficulties in Europe, in 1922 the Genoa conference in Italy was called to discuss the European economic situation and to consider how to remedy the European system. At the Genoa conference Germany was put in between the allies and Russia, not wanting to make an agreement with one or the other with the risk of offending either Russia or the allies. With Russia there was a greater risk as they might demand reparations too. As a result of this conference payments were postponed that year.
