Российские и славянские исследования: сб. науч. трудов. Вып. 10. Минск: БГУ. C. 183-191. (original) (raw)

The primary aim of French policy towards East Central Europe in the 1920s was to create a counterbalance against Germany in the form of a reliable, strong and coherent alliance system in the back of Germany, for as the alliance with Russia had collapsed as the result of the 1917 Revolution. Thus, Paris aimed to maintain and consolidate the favourable situation for its allies in the region created by the peace treaties. The economic and political integration of the region, and the settling of interstate relations was also in France’s interest. The strengthening and developing of friendly states, such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia, and bringing them into the French orbit became the cornerstone of this strategy. After discussing the international situation and aims of France, this article analyses and evaluates the strategic, political, economic and cultural tools Paris used to expand its influence in East Central Europe.