What major international agreement was signed in 1928?

The Kellogg-Briand Pact, signed in 1928, was a significant international agreement that aimed to promote peace by outlawing war as a means of resolving conflicts between nations. Initiated by French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand and U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg, the pact was ultimately signed by numerous countries, reflecting a collective desire to prevent the devastation witnessed during World War I.

This agreement represents a critical moment in international relations, as it sought to establish a legal framework that emphasized diplomacy and negotiation over military action. Although it did not provide enforcement mechanisms or consequences for nations that violated the terms—leading to challenges in its effectiveness—the pact was a cornerstone in the early 20th-century movement toward collective security and non-aggression pacts.

The other agreements mentioned, such as the Locarno Treaties, Dawes Plan, and Washington Conference, were significant in their own rights but addressed different issues or contexts, such as territorial guarantees in Europe, economic reparations for Germany, and naval disarmament, respectively. Thus, the Kellogg-Briand Pact stands out in 1928 as a unique and ambitious attempt to formalize peace on an international scale.