Wilson, League of Nations, WWI, Treaty of Versailles, Hitler
In what ways was the League successful after World War I? Unsuccessful?
Some of the League's success was that; it was able to resolve several disputes peacefully just as Wilson had hoped. For example the League settled a dispute between Sweden and Finland over a group of contested islands. The League was also responsible for some social and economic successes. For example it brought several issues to the world's attention, such as child slave labor, drug addition, smuggling and the status of women. Also the League provided aid for refugees, extended financial aid to states that were in need, and provided a model for dealing with these and other social issues. Lastly many organizations that are part of the UN today, started from the League of Nations; Such as the International Labor Organization and the International Court of Justice.
Even though the League was so successful it did also have some nonsuccessive matters. For example the League lacked a credible military backbone and often lacked the power to enforce its decisions. Also when the League was called on to intervene in a conflict between Poland and Lithuania over the seizure of a Lithuanian town, the League proved unable to force Poland to leave.Lastly another incident of this would be when France and Belgium invaded Germany and the League was unable to stop it.
2. Many historians suggest that the terms of the Versailles Treaty were a major cause of World War II. Support that argument.
Many historian's believe that the Versailles Treaty was the major cause of World War two because the treaty was very harsh on Germany and the Germans. Humiliated by the treaty's terms, Germans were eager to reassert themselves in world affairs and regain the land that they lost in World War one.. Even though some of the terms were softened in the 1920's the Germans were still very angry. The financial compensation that the Allies demanded caused a terrible economy for Germany. Also many Germans were starved and very hardship from losing their jobs. When Hitler came to power in 1935 of Germany the League failed to stop him. However it was Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 that led finally to the collapse of the League of nations and the outbreak of World War two.
2. Many historians suggest that the terms of the Versailles Treaty were a major cause of World War II. Support that argument.
Many historian's believe that the Versailles Treaty was the major cause of World War two because the treaty was very harsh on Germany and the Germans. Humiliated by the treaty's terms, Germans were eager to reassert themselves in world affairs and regain the land that they lost in World War one.. Even though some of the terms were softened in the 1920's the Germans were still very angry. The financial compensation that the Allies demanded caused a terrible economy for Germany. Also many Germans were starved and very hardship from losing their jobs. When Hitler came to power in 1935 of Germany the League failed to stop him. However it was Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 that led finally to the collapse of the League of nations and the outbreak of World War two.
3. Some historians characterize U.S. policy during the interwar period as isolationist. What actions, described in the reading, could be called isolationist?
Some historians characterized the U.S policy during the interwar period as isolationist. An example of this would be when after World War one Britain and France believed that the United States would forgive some of their over $10 billion dollars of war debt; however the United States demanded be paid back in full and did not attempt to a compromise with the Europeans. The United States also enacted legislation to limit immigration into the country.
4. How was U.S. foreign policy different in the Cold War from the interwar period?
The U.S foreign policy was different in the Cold War from the interwar period. During the Cold war the American leaders feared that the Soviets would fan the flames of conflict to gain influence in regions that were identified as vital to U.S interests. Since U.S foreign aid was viewed as a tool for containing the spread of communism. It was the reason that the United States gave $400 million dollars of aid to Greece and Turkey in 1947 and the $13 billion of aid to western European countries in the European Recovery Program.
4. How was U.S. foreign policy different in the Cold War from the interwar period?
The U.S foreign policy was different in the Cold War from the interwar period. During the Cold war the American leaders feared that the Soviets would fan the flames of conflict to gain influence in regions that were identified as vital to U.S interests. Since U.S foreign aid was viewed as a tool for containing the spread of communism. It was the reason that the United States gave $400 million dollars of aid to Greece and Turkey in 1947 and the $13 billion of aid to western European countries in the European Recovery Program.
5. What is "Wilsonian" thought? Why do some support it and some oppose it?
Wilson's thought was to bring the concepts of multilateralism and collective security to the forefront of political consciousness. Some have said that Wilson's ideas have continued to fail throughout the century because humans are predisposed toward power politics rather than peaceful diplomacy, and that the United States should focus on it's mounting domestic problems. Others say that ideas such as mutlilateralism threatens U.S security by preventing the United States from acting on it's own to protect it's citizens.
