interwar years

• What were the Paris Peace Treaties primarily concerned with?


  Peacemaking after World War I and the establishment of the League of Nations
• What were the main motivations of the Big Three during the Paris Peace Treaties?


  • Concern over Germany's military strength
  • Fear of Soviet Russia promoting communism
  • Japan and Italy's expectations for territorial gains
• Why were the Big Three concerned about Soviet Russia?


  They feared it aimed to promote a world communist revolution
• What did Woodrow Wilson advocate for in the peace negotiations?


  A just peace and national self-determination
• What was the concept of national self-determination proposed by Wilson?


  People sharing the same language and culture should choose their own governments
• What was one of Wilson's key proposals in his Fourteen Points Speech?


  No secret deals in international relations
• How did Britain and France react to Wilson's Fourteen Points Speech?


  They were annoyed that reparations were not mentioned
• What was Clemenceau's main goal during the peace negotiations?


  To impose a harsh peace on Germany for revenge and security
• What did Clemenceau want for Germany after the war?


  To be broken into smaller states and to lose valuable economic lands
• Why did Lloyd-George advocate for a compromise peace?


  To satisfy British public opinion while maintaining a balance of power
• What was one of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles regarding territory?


  Germany lost all of its colonies
• What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles summarized by GARGLE or TRAWL?


  • G: Germany lost territory
  • A: Arms restrictions
  • R: Reparations imposed
  • G: Guilt clause (Article 231)
  • L: League of Nations established
  • E: Economic sanctions
• What was the War Guilt Clause in the Treaty of Versailles?


  Article 231, stating Germany takes full responsibility for the war
• What was the League of Nations established to do?


  To oversee a just peace and prevent future conflicts
• Did the Big Three achieve their goals in the Treaty of Versailles?


  They had mixed results, with some goals met and others unmet
• What was the outcome of the Spartacist Revolt in 1919?


  The revolt was violently suppressed by the Freikorps
• What was the Kapp Putsch in 1920?


  An extreme right-wing revolution aimed at restoring the Kaiser
• What triggered the Ruhr Crisis in 1923?


  Germany's failure to make reparations payments
• What was the impact of hyperinflation in Germany during the Ruhr Crisis?


  Banknotes became worthless, leading to loss of savings
• What was the main point of the Treaty of St. Germain in 1919?


  To separate Austria from Hungary and prevent its union with Germany
• What was the reaction of the German people to the Treaty of Versailles?


  Many felt it was a 'stab in the back' and too harsh
• What were the arguments for and against the fairness of the Treaty of Versailles?


  Arguments against fairness:

  • Sole blame on Germany was unjust
  • Economic sanctions harmed ordinary Germans
  • Reparations crippled Germany's economy

  
  

  Arguments for fairness:

  • Germany did not lose as much land as desired
  • Germany had previously imposed harsh terms on Russia
  • Germany agreed to the armistice
• What were the aims of the League of Nations as set out in the Covenant?


  To maintain peace, uphold the Treaty, encourage cooperation, disarmament, and improve living conditions
• What was Article 10 of the Covenant of the League of Nations about?


  Collective security to prevent aggression among member nations
• How was collective security intended to work in the League of Nations?


  By acting together to prevent aggression through moral condemnation, economic sanctions, or military intervention
• What was the primary hope for the League of Nations?


  To end evils such as slavery and ensure a peaceful future.
• What were the main aims of the League of Nations as set out in the Covenant?


  • Maintain peace and discourage aggression
  • Uphold the Treaty of Versailles
  • Encourage cooperation, especially in trade
  • Disarmament
  • Improve living and working conditions
  • Encourage collective security
• What was the purpose of Article 10 of the Covenant of the League?


  To prevent aggressive nations from attacking others through collective action.
• What were the three means hoped to restrain an aggressor nation by the League?

  • Moral condemnation
  • Economic sanctions
  • Military intervention
• What was the structure of the League of Nations?


  • The Assembly: All member nations, met annually, limited powers, unanimous decisions.
  • The Council: Dominant members, met four times a year, real power, unanimous decisions.
  • The Secretariat: Office workers, slow due to insufficient members.
  • Commissions and Committees: Various specialized groups for specific issues.
• How many member nations were represented in the Assembly of the League of Nations?

  47 member nations.
• What was a limitation of the Assembly's powers?


  It could only decide on smaller matters like membership.
• Who were the permanent members of the Council of the League of Nations?


  Britain, France, Italy, and Japan.
• What was the role of the Secretariat in the League of Nations?


  To handle paperwork and administration.
• What were some of the commissions and committees established by the League of Nations?

  • Mandates Commission
  • Disarmament Commission
  • Slavery Commission
  • Health Organisation (now WHO)
  • International Labour Organisation
• What criticism was leveled against the Council of the League of Nations?


  It was seen as a European club with racial discrimination issues.
• What were the problems caused by the USA not joining the League of Nations?


  The USA was supposed to be a member, but isolationist policies prevailed.
• What were the weaknesses of the League of Nations?


  • Problems of membership
  • No standing army
  • Self-interest of member states
  • Slow decision-making
  • Idealistic approach
• When was the International Court of Justice formed?


  In 1920.
• What was the role of the International Court of Justice?


  To give legal advice on disputes between countries.