Question 1

Why did the League of Nations fail to keep peace in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

The League failed mainly because of the Great Depression, which made countries focus on domestic issues and reduced willingness to act collectively. Key members like the USA never joined, and others like Japan, Germany, and Italy left when challenged. The League had no army and its economic sanctions were ineffective. The Manchurian Crisis (1931) and Abyssinian Crisis (1935) showed that aggressive powers could act with impunity, destroying the League's credibility.

Question 2

Was the Treaty of Versailles fair?

Accepted Answer

The Treaty was not fair; it was a compromise between the victors' aims. Germany was forced to accept sole responsibility for the war (Article 231), pay huge reparations (£6.6 billion), lose territory (including Alsace-Lorraine and all colonies), and have its military severely restricted. Many Germans felt humiliated and betrayed, which fuelled resentment and helped extremist parties like the Nazis gain support. However, some argue it was not harsh enough to prevent Germany from recovering and threatening peace again.

Question 3

What was appeasement and why did Britain and France follow it?

Accepted Answer

Appeasement was the policy of making concessions to Hitler's demands in the hope of avoiding war. Britain and France followed it for several reasons: memories of WWI made them reluctant to fight again; they were not militarily prepared; some felt the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh and Hitler's demands were reasonable; and they hoped Hitler would be satisfied with limited gains. However, appeasement backfired because it encouraged Hitler to become more aggressive, leading to the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and ultimately WWII.

Question 4

How did the Great Depression contribute to the outbreak of WWII?

Accepted Answer

The Great Depression (1929 onwards) caused massive unemployment and economic hardship worldwide. In Germany, it led to the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi Party, which promised to restore prosperity and national pride. In Japan, the Depression hit exports hard, leading militarists to gain power and pursue expansion in Manchuria for resources. The Depression also made countries focus on domestic problems, weakening the League of Nations and making collective security impossible.

Question 5

What were the key events that led from the Treaty of Versailles to WWII?

Accepted Answer

Key events include: 1923 – French occupation of the Ruhr; 1925 – Locarno Treaties (improved relations); 1929 – Wall Street Crash; 1931 – Japan invades Manchuria; 1933 – Hitler becomes Chancellor; 1935 – Hitler announces rearmament, Italy invades Abyssinia; 1936 – Remilitarisation of the Rhineland; 1938 – Anschluss with Austria, Munich Agreement; 1939 – Invasion of Czechoslovakia, Nazi-Soviet Pact, invasion of Poland. Each event eroded the post-war settlement and increased tensions.

Question 6

Why did the policy of collective security fail in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

Collective security failed because the League's members were unwilling to commit to military action. When Japan invaded Manchuria (1931), the League condemned it but took no action, and Japan left the League. When Italy invaded Abyssinia (1935), the League imposed sanctions but did not include oil, and Britain and France secretly tried to appease Italy (Hoare-Laval Pact). The lack of a standing army and the requirement for unanimous decisions made the League ineffective against determined aggressors.

Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918–1939

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