The texts are placed in a historical framework to clarify their relation to each other, and are supplemented by a description of the circumstances leading to their conclusion. Each group of treaties is prefaced by an introductory chapter which provides a short history and analysis of world events linked to the actual texts of the main treaties. The structure and development of international organizations, from the League of Nations to the enlarged European Economic Community, are also included. The texts are edited only to the extent of cutting out extraneous legal and other formal matter; where necessary, clauses are summarized in order to focus attention on the main provisions. This is a uniquely comprehensive guide to diplomatic history since the beginning of the First World War. Bridging law, politics, and history, it is indispensable to students of the twentieth century. -- Adapted from dust jacket.

Introduction: International treaties. The role of treaties ; The form and structure of treaties ; The drafting of treaties ; The vocabulary of treaties ; Treaties imposed by force -- Secret agreements and treaties of the First World War -- The peace settlements and the League of Nations, 1919-1923 -- France, Britain, Italy and Germany, 1921-1933 -- France and her eastern allies, 1921-1939 -- The Soviet Union and her neighbors, 1919-1937 -- The collapse of the territorial settlements of Versailles, 1931-1938 -- From peace to world war in Europe and Asia, 1937-1941 -- The Grand Alliance : Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union, 1941-1945 -- The Allied conferences and the political settlement of Europe, 1943-1945 -- The United Nations -- The peace treaties, 1945-1972 -- The alliances and alignments of the United States -- West European integration, 1947-1972 -- The conflicts and alignments of Asia, 1945-1973 -- The conflicts and alignments of Africa, 1945-1972 -- The conflicts and alignments of the Middle East, 1945-1972 -- The reduction of international tension and the problem of arms control, 1960-1972 -- The major international conflicts, treaties and agreements of 1973 -- Appendix: A note of the Commonwealth defence agreements and cooperation, 1914-1973.