IR102

Question 1

Which two countries were notably dissatisfied with the post-First World War settlement, and what actions did they take as a result?

Answer 1

Turkey and Italy. Turkey defied the settlement, while Italy showed its resentment through actions such as the seizure of Fiume and the Corfu Incident.

Question 2

How did Mussolini’s rise to power in 1922 influence Italy’s foreign policy and actions?

Answer 2

Mussolini’s rise to power intensified Italian resentment, leading to aggressive actions like the seizure of Fiume, the Corfu Incident, and later aggression towards Abyssinia in 1935.

Question 3

What were the opposing views of Britain and France regarding German reparations post-First World War, and how did these views affect their relations?

Answer 3

France wanted a weakened Germany to prevent future threats, while Britain wanted a strong Germany to bolster its economy and buy British exports. This divergence tensed Franco-British relations.

Question 4

What was the purpose of the 1922 Genoa Conference, and why did it fail?

Answer 4

The Genoa Conference, initiated by Lloyd George, aimed to reconcile France and Germany and stabilize Europe. It failed due to irreconcilable differences and lack of cooperation among the major powers.

Question 5

Describe the events and consequences of the French occupation of the Ruhr in 1923.

Answer 5

In response to Germany’s failure to pay reparations, French troops occupied the Ruhr, a key industrial region, to extract payments in goods. This led to economic turmoil and the collapse of the German currency.

Question 6

How did the USA influence European politics and economies after choosing to remain politically isolated post-First World War?

Answer 6

The USA exerted economic influence by insisting on full repayment of European war debts, affecting the economic policies and stability of European nations.

Question 7

What was the reaction of Western countries to the Bolshevik rule in Russia, and what actions did they take?

Answer 7

Western countries viewed Bolshevik Russia with suspicion and intervened militarily in the Russian Civil War (1918-1920) alongside Japan, aiming to support anti-Bolshevik forces.

Question 8

List the new states that emerged from the First World War peace settlement and discuss the challenges they faced

Answer 8

Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, and Poland. These states faced internal divisions, ethnic conflicts, and political instability, which complicated international relations.

Question 9

How did the creation of new states after the First World War affect international relations?

Answer 9

The internal problems and divisions within these new states led to regional instability and tensions, impacting broader international relations and peace efforts.

Question 10

In what ways did Italy’s foreign policy actions reflect its dissatisfaction with the post-war settlement?

Answer 10

Italy’s actions, including the seizure of Fiume, the Corfu Incident, and later aggression in Abyssinia, were direct expressions of its dissatisfaction and desire for greater influence and territory.

Question 11

What were the economic implications of the tensed relations between Britain and France over German reparations?

Answer 11

The economic implications included a destabilized German economy, trade disruptions, and increased tensions that hindered European economic recovery.

Question 12

Explain the significance of the Corfu Incident and its impact on international relations in the 1920s.

Answer 12

The Corfu Incident, where Italy occupied the Greek island of Corfu following the murder of an Italian general, heightened tensions between Italy and Greece, and strained relations within the League of Nations.

Question 13

What role did the League of Nations play in addressing the international issues that arose after the First World War?

Answer 13

The League of Nations attempted to mediate disputes and foster cooperation, but it struggled with limited authority and the reluctance of major powers to fully commit, leading to mixed results in maintaining peace.

Question 14

During which period did a general improvement in the international atmosphere occur, partly due to changes in political leadership?

Answer 14

1924 to 1929.

Question 15

Which political leaders came to power between 1924 and 1929 that were keen to improve international relations?

Answer 15

Edouard Herriot and Aristide Briand in France, Gustav Stresemann in Germany, and James Ramsay MacDonald in Britain.

Question 16

What was the Dawes Plan, when was it worked out, and how did it impact the situation regarding German reparations?

Answer 16

The Dawes Plan was worked out in 1924 with American help; it eased the situation by restructuring Germany’s reparations payments.

Question 17

What significant treaties were signed in 1925, and what was their purpose?

Answer 17

The Locarno Treaties were signed in 1925; they guaranteed the borders in western Europe as fixed by the Treaty of Versailles, helping to reduce French suspicions of Germany.

Question 18

When was Germany allowed to join the League of Nations, and what significance did this hold for international relations?

Answer 18

Germany was allowed to join the League of Nations in 1926, marking a significant step towards reintegrating Germany into the international community and promoting peace. (withdrawal: 1933)

Question 19

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact, when was it signed, and what was its primary objective?

Answer 19

The Kellogg-Briand Pact was signed in 1928 by 65 nations; its primary objective was to renounce war as a means of resolving international disputes.

Question 20

What was the Young Plan, when was it introduced, and how did it alter the German reparations situation?

Answer 20

The Young Plan was introduced in 1929; it further reduced German reparations to a more manageable figure, fostering economic stability and international peace.

Question 21

How did the international agreements and plans between 1924 and 1929 set the stage for future peace?

Answer 21

The Dawes Plan, Locarno Treaties, Germany’s admission to the League, the Kellogg-Briand Pact, and the Young Plan collectively improved diplomatic relations, eased economic pressures, and promoted a cooperative international environment aimed at preventing future conflicts.

Question 22

Which period saw the world beginning to run into economic difficulties, leading to a deterioration in international relations?

Answer 22

1930 to 1933.

Question 23

What major economic event at the end of 1929 contributed to the worsening of international relations in the early 1930s?

Answer 23

The onset of the Great Depression.

Question 24

Why did Japanese troops invade Manchuria in 1931, and how did this event affect international relations?

Answer 24

Japanese troops invaded Manchuria partly for economic reasons, seeking resources and territory to support Japan’s economy. This invasion strained relations with other countries and undermined the League of Nations.

Question 25

How did the economic difficulties of the early 1930s contribute to Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany?

Answer 25

Mass unemployment and economic instability in Germany created widespread discontent, which Hitler exploited to gain political support and eventually come to power.

Question 26

What was the World Disarmament Conference, when did it meet, and what was its outcome?

Answer 26

The World Disarmament Conference met in 1932 to address global arms reduction, but it broke up in failure in 1933 after the German delegates walked out.

Question 27

Why did the World Disarmament Conference of 1932-1933 fail, and what was the significance of Germany’s withdrawal?

Answer 27

The conference failed due to disagreements among the participating nations on disarmament terms, and Germany’s withdrawal in 1933 signaled its rejection of the post-World War I international order, foreshadowing further aggression.

Question 28

How did the economic difficulties of the early 1930s create an unpromising climate for international cooperation and peace efforts?

Answer 28

Economic hardships led to increased nationalism, aggressive foreign policies, and political instability, making it difficult for nations to cooperate on disarmament and other peace initiatives.