Section 15: Diplomacy in Europe (1919-1945) Flashcards
What was the League of Nations’ action regarding the Aaland Islands in 1921?
The League decided that the Aaland Islands should go to Finland, avoiding war between Sweden and Finland.
What was the outcome of the Upper Silesia referendum in 1921?
Germany won the referendum, but the League split the region between Germany and Poland, which was accepted by both countries.
What was a major flaw in the structure of the League of Nations?
The League was seen as a ‘Winners club’ with the USSR and the USA not allowed to join, leading to biased decision-making.
How did the League of Nations respond to the Corfu crisis in 1923?
The League condemned Mussolini’s actions after he blamed Greece for the death of a delegation, but ultimately, Greece had to pay reparations.
What role did the Locarno Treaty play in European security?
The Locarno Treaty (1925) successfully secured borders between Germany and France, promoting a sense of European security.
What was the significance of the Washington Naval Conference in 1921?
It established a naval ratio of 5:5:3 among the superpowers to reduce tensions in East Asia and promote disarmament.
What was the impact of the Great Depression on collective security?
The Great Depression hindered international cooperation, leading to the failure of collective security by the mid-1930s.
How did the relationship between France, Britain, and the USSR affect collective security?
France and Britain refused to work with the USSR, viewing it as a greater enemy than Germany, undermining collective security.
What was the economic situation in Britain during the Great Depression?
Britain faced 1.3 million unemployed, leading the government to focus on domestic issues rather than military rearmament.
What was the public sentiment towards appeasement in Britain and France?
There was mass support for appeasement due to the fear of war and the memory of WWI, leading to a peaceful foreign policy.
What was the outcome of the Manchuria Incident in 1931?
The League of Nations failed to take meaningful action against Japan’s invasion, demonstrating its ineffectiveness.
What were the internal weaknesses of the League of Nations?
The League’s structure allowed great powers to dominate decision-making, leading to biased outcomes and ineffective enforcement.
How did the rise of Italian and German aggression contribute to the collapse of collective security?
The aggressive foreign policies of Hitler and Mussolini, along with their nationalist agendas, undermined collective security.
What was the impact of the Treaty of St Germain on Austria?
The Treaty reduced Austria’s population and banned Anschluss, leading to economic and political instability.
How did the Treaty of Versailles affect Germany’s economy?
The high reparations imposed by the Treaty led to hyperinflation and economic crisis in Germany, contributing to political radicalization.
