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What was the Internationalist-Defencist Schism?

Introduction Internationalist and defencist were the broad opposing camps in the international socialist movement during and shortly after the First World War. Prior to 1914, anti-militarism had been an article of faith among most European socialist parties. Leaders of the Second International had even suggested that socialist workers might foil a declaration of war by… Read More

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What was the Dawes Plan (1924)?

Introduction The Dawes Plan (as proposed by the Dawes Committee, chaired by Charles G. Dawes) was a plan in 1924 that successfully resolved the issue of World War I reparations that Germany had to pay. It ended a crisis in European diplomacy following World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. The plan provided for… Read More

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What was the Lausanne Conference (1932)?

Introduction The Lausanne Conference was a 1932 meeting of representatives from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France that resulted in an agreement to suspend World War I reparations payments imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. Refer to Dawes Plan (1924). Background Held from 16 June to 09 July 1932, it was named for… Read More

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What was the Young Plan (1929)?

Introduction The Young Plan was a programme for settling Germany’s World War I reparations. It was written in August 1929 and formally adopted in 1930. It was presented by the committee headed (1929-1930) by American industrialist Owen D. Young, founder and former chairman of Radio Corporation of America (RCA), who, at the time, was a… Read More

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An Overview of World War I Reparations

Introduction Following the ratification of article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles at the conclusion of World War I, the Central Powers were made to give war reparations to the Allied Powers. Each of the defeated powers was required to make payments in either cash or kind. Because of the financial situation in Austria, Hungary,… Read More

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What were the Rhineland Bastards?

Introduction Rhineland Bastard (German: Rheinlandbastard) was a derogatory term used in Nazi Germany to describe Afro-Germans, believed fathered by French Army personnel of African descent who were stationed in the Rhineland during its occupation by France after World War I. There is evidence that other Afro-Germans, born from unions between German men and African women… Read More

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An Overview of War Children

Introduction War children are those born to a native parent and a parent belonging to a foreign military force (usually an occupying force, but also military personnel stationed at military bases on foreign soil). Having a child by a member of a belligerent force, throughout history and across cultures, is often considered a grave betrayal… Read More