1. In what ways
was the League successful after World War I? Unsuccessful?
After World
War I, the League had several successes, but also some failures. It did succeed
in its main goal of resolving some disputes in a peaceful way and preventing
violence; such as when it prevented a war between Greece and Bulgaria over a
border conflict and responding to a humanitarian crisis in Turkey. But the
League was unsuccessful in several scenarios as well. One of the League's
greatest flaws was that it lacked troops and didn't have the power to enforce
some of its decisions. This problem was exposed when the League was unable to
force Poland out of a Lithuanian town.
2. Many historians suggest that the terms of the Versailles Treaty were a major cause of World War II. Support that argument.
The terms of the Versailles Treaty were definitely a major cause of World War II. Many people even speculate that if it weren't for the Treaty of Versailles, there may not have even been a second world war. The Treaty singled out Germany for causing the war. To say that Germany was the only country responsible for the world war starting is a complete lie. It is true that they were one of the major players in starting it, but there were many other countries involved with this. This angered Germany and embarrassed them. Germany was already eager to reassert themselves as a world power, and this gave them more reason to do so. Hitler wanted to get the Germans angry and willing to enter another war, and he would always point to the Treaty of Versailles.
3. Some historians characterize U.S. policy during the interwar period as isolationist. What actions, described in the reading, could be called isolationist?
2. Many historians suggest that the terms of the Versailles Treaty were a major cause of World War II. Support that argument.
The terms of the Versailles Treaty were definitely a major cause of World War II. Many people even speculate that if it weren't for the Treaty of Versailles, there may not have even been a second world war. The Treaty singled out Germany for causing the war. To say that Germany was the only country responsible for the world war starting is a complete lie. It is true that they were one of the major players in starting it, but there were many other countries involved with this. This angered Germany and embarrassed them. Germany was already eager to reassert themselves as a world power, and this gave them more reason to do so. Hitler wanted to get the Germans angry and willing to enter another war, and he would always point to the Treaty of Versailles.
3. Some historians characterize U.S. policy during the interwar period as isolationist. What actions, described in the reading, could be called isolationist?
U.S. policy during the interwar
period can be easily classified as isolationist. The U.S. wanted an independent
foreign policy. They didn’t want to be constrained by any permanent alliances.
America would only get involved with international fairs if it was absolutely
necessary, or if it benefitted them. This was very selfish. It showed that they
were only interested in their own good. An example of their isolationistic
behavior was when they refused to forgive Britain and France’s war debts and
wouldn’t even compromise because it wouldn’t be beneficial for them.
4. How was U.S. foreign policy different in the Cold War from the interwar period?
The U.S. foreign policy was very different in the Cold War than it was during the interwar period. During the interwar period, the U.S. was very isolationistic. They tried their hardest to avoid having to deal with other countries in any way. This all changed with the Cold War. The U.S.’s involvement was guiding abroad by the strategy of containing Soviet Communism. Other nations thought of the U.S.’s involvement as a tool to help prevent the spread of communism and the United States sent hundreds of millions of dollars of aid to other countries.
4. How was U.S. foreign policy different in the Cold War from the interwar period?
The U.S. foreign policy was very different in the Cold War than it was during the interwar period. During the interwar period, the U.S. was very isolationistic. They tried their hardest to avoid having to deal with other countries in any way. This all changed with the Cold War. The U.S.’s involvement was guiding abroad by the strategy of containing Soviet Communism. Other nations thought of the U.S.’s involvement as a tool to help prevent the spread of communism and the United States sent hundreds of millions of dollars of aid to other countries.
5. What is "Wilsonian" thought? Why do some support it and some oppose it?
Wilsonian thought has many people who support it and just as
many who oppose it. Wilson believed in
the concepts of multilateral thought and collective security. Wilson thought
that the United States should use its power to help out other countries. The
United States remains involved with foreign affairs in ideals that are similar
to Wilson’s Fourteen Points. Some oppose these types of thoughts because they
point out that it has failed many times. They prefer to be more isolationistic
and focus on the many domestic problems. They also say that multilateralism
threatens U.S. Security by preventing America from helping out its own people.
