Q11. Twenty Years Crisis and Wilson's 14 Points

Question 1

What is meant by “twenty years crisis”?

Answer 1

The “twenty years crisis” marks the time between the first and second World War when Europe was in an assumed state of peace. This is the time when the failures of the Treaty of Versailles were sinking in.

Question 2

List the failures of the Treaty of Versailles

Answer 2

• harsh reparations
• territorial losses
• war guilt clause placing full blame on Germany
• Soviets did not want financial aid from USA

Question 3

Why was Europe in a “crisis” at this time?

Answer 3

because after Woodrow Wilson’s fourteen points and the development of the League of Nations, there was not supposed to be a second world war. However tensions were heating up and the new international world order was failing. Peace was not on the horizon.

Question 4

What are the failures of the League of Nations?

Answer 4

• weak enforcement mechanisms - lack of legitimacy
• self-determination was only for Europe. Leads to racisms via colonialisation

Question 5

Describe Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points

Answer 5

• set of principles and proposals for achieving a just and lasting peace after WWI
• served as a blueprint for the peace negotiations that led to the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations
• worked towards equality and transparency accros states
• influenced principles of** self-determination, collective security and international cooperation**

Question 6

Effects of the League of Nations on liberalism

Answer 6

• began the establishment of an interconnectivity in the new world order. Autarky was no longer a viable option
• League of Nations put liberalism at the forefront of the study of IR
• remember how it came about in academia at this time