Treaty of Rapallo (1922)
Rapallo, Liguria, Italy
What happened
Germany's foreign minister Walther Rathenau and Soviet Russia's Georgy Chicherin signed the treaty. European leaders had gathered at a conference in nearby Genoa. In secret, the German and Soviet delegations met in Rapallo and agreed to drop claims against each other for war damages. They also restored diplomatic relations and promised trade.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The surprise deal caused the Genoa conference to collapse and alarmed Britain and France. 'The spirit of Rapallo' became a phrase for closer German–Soviet ties.
What came next
The treaty was extended to other Soviet republics later in 1922 and reaffirmed in 1926. Rathenau fell in Berlin that June.
Did you know?
The treaty itself had no military clauses, though secret military cooperation between the two countries was already being planned.
Timeline
- 16 April 1922The Treaty of Rapallo is signed.
- 24 June 1922Rathenau falls in Berlin.
- 5 November 1922The treaty is extended to other Soviet republics.
- 1926Treaty of Berlin reaffirms it.