Diplomacy

Question 1

1. Paris Peace Settlement (1919)

Answer 1

Aimed to establish lasting peace post-WWI, but imposed punitive measures on Germany, leading to future tensions and conflicts.

Question 2

2. League of Nations Formation

Answer 2

Established to promote collective security and prevent future wars; ultimately failed due to lack of enforcement power and U.S. non-participation.

Jan 10 1920

Question 3

3. Collective Security Concept

Answer 3

Intended to deter aggression through mutual defense agreements; however, it was undermined by member states prioritizing national interests over collective action.

Question 4

4. British Foreign Policy in the 1920s

Answer 4

Focused on maintaining peace through diplomacy and economic cooperation, but shifted towards appeasement in the 1930s due to rising tensions in Europe.

Question 5

5. Appeasement Policy (1930s)

Answer 5

British and French strategy of conceding to Hitler’s demands to avoid war; initially popular but ultimately discredited as it emboldened Nazi aggression.

Question 6

6. Munich Agreement (1938)

Answer 6

Allowed German annexation of the Sudetenland; viewed as a failure of appeasement that encouraged further territorial expansion by Hitler.

Question 7

7. Treaty of St. Germain (1919)

Answer 7

Signed with Austria; resulted in territorial losses and economic difficulties for Austria, contributing to instability in Central Europe.

Question 8

8. Treaty of Trianon (1920)

Answer 8

Signed with Hungary; imposed severe territorial losses that fostered resentment and instability in Hungary and neighboring regions.

Question 9

9. Failures of the League of Nations

Answer 9

Ineffective in preventing aggression from Japan, Italy, and Germany; highlighted by its inability to respond to the Manchurian Crisis (1931) and the invasion of Abyssina (1935).

Question 10

10. Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939)

Answer 10

Non-aggression treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union that allowed Hitler to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention, facilitating the outbreak of WWII.

Question 11

11. French Foreign Policy (1920s-1930s)

Answer 11

Aimed at forming alliances with Eastern European nations to counter German threats; ultimately failed as alliances crumbled under pressure from Nazi expansionism.

Question 12

12. Cultural Diplomacy in Europe

Answer 12

Many nations established cultural programs to promote national interests abroad; these initiatives were used as tools for soft power during diplomatic negotiations.

Question 13

13. The Impact of the Great Depression on Diplomacy

Answer 13

Economic turmoil led countries to prioritize national interests over international cooperation, weakening diplomatic ties and increasing isolationism.

1929

Question 14

14. British Domestic Concerns during Appeasement

Answer 14

Economic struggles and anti-war sentiment influenced Britain’s appeasement policy; many citizens wanted to avoid another devastating conflict like WWI.

Question 15

15. The Role of Italy in European Diplomacy

Answer 15

Mussolini sought to expand Italian influence through aggressive foreign policies, aligning with Nazi Germany while attempting to assert Italy’s position as a great power.

Question 16

16. The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

Answer 16

A proxy conflict that drew international involvement; highlighted ideological divisions in Europe and foreshadowed the larger conflict of WWII.

Question 17

17. The Failure of Disarmament Efforts

Answer 17

Attempts at arms reduction were undermined by nations’ self-interests; the lack of commitment led to an arms race that contributed to WWII’s outbreak.

The Anglo-German Naval Agreement (35% of Britains navy)

Question 18

18. The Role of the United States in European Diplomacy

Answer 18

Initially focused on isolationism post-WWI; U.S. involvement became crucial after WWII began, shifting global power dynamics significantly.

Question 19

19. The Impact of WWII on European Diplomacy

Answer 19

The war reshaped international relations, leading to the establishment of new alliances and organizations like the United Nations aimed at preventing future conflicts.

Question 20

20. The Significance of the Yalta Conference (1945)

Answer 20

Allied leaders discussed post-war reorganization; decisions made set the stage for Cold War tensions between the U.S.S.R and Western powers.

Question 21

21. The Potsdam Conference (1945)

Answer 21

Addressed post-war order but revealed deepening divisions between Allies, particularly regarding Eastern Europe and Germany’s future governance.

Question 22

22. The Role of Propaganda in Diplomacy

Answer 22

Governments utilized propaganda extensively during this period to shape public opinion and justify foreign policy decisions, influencing diplomatic relations.

Question 23

23. Economic Sanctions as Diplomatic Tools

Answer 23

Used by nations during this period as a means of exerting pressure without military intervention; effectiveness varied based on international support.

Question 24

24. The Impact of Nationalism on Diplomacy

Answer 24

Resurgent nationalism influenced foreign policy decisions across Europe, often leading to conflicts that undermined collective security efforts.

Question 25

25. The Failure of Multilateral Agreements

Answer 25

Agreements like the Kellogg-Briand Pact aimed at renouncing war were ineffective due to lack of enforcement mechanisms and commitment from signatories.

1928

Question 26

26. The Consequences of Isolationism

Answer 26

Many nations adopted isolationist policies post-WWI, which weakened international cooperation and contributed to rising tensions leading up to WWII.

Question 27

27. The Role of Secret Alliances

Answer 27

Secret agreements among nations often undermined public diplomatic efforts, leading to mistrust and contributing to the escalation towards conflict.

Question 28

28. The Influence of Military Leaders on Foreign Policy

Answer 28

Military leaders often played significant roles in shaping foreign policy decisions during this period, advocating for aggressive stances against perceived threats.

Question 29

29. The Legacy of Interwar Diplomacy on Post-War Europe

Answer 29

Diplomatic failures during this period informed post-WWII policies aimed at fostering cooperation through institutions like NATO and the EU.

Question 30

30. Lessons Learned from Interwar Diplomacy

Answer 30

Highlighted the importance of effective communication, commitment to collective security, and addressing underlying grievances to prevent future conflicts.