Lesson 2 - USA and Europe by the 1930s Flashcards
(7 cards)
Definition of Appeasement.
A diplomatic strategy that focuses on making concessions to an aggressive foreign power to avoid war.
Reasons for the development of Appeasement.
British political concerns
- Great Depression had caused big problems in Britain and the government didn’t want to upset their people more.
Sympathy for Germany
- Some felt the TofV had been too harsh.
Fear of communism
- Hitler was the lesser of two evils when compared to Stalin’s communist Russia.
Definition of US isolationism.
A commitment to avoiding alliances and involvement in other nations politics to avoid being drawn into any international crises inc. war.
How did the USA ensure they remained isolated in the 1930s?
Put in place a series of acts to stay out of the conflict including the Neutrality Acts in 1935, 1937 and 1939.
These acts meant that the USA didn’t have their citizens related to any conflict and their ships did not enter belligerent nations ports.
Definition of the League of Nations.
An association of 42 nations that were focused on coming together to solve international disputes.
Aims of the League of Nations.
- To stop conflicts from breaking out around the world.
- To encourage disarmament.
- To improve life around the world by tackling contemporary issues like disease and working conditions.
Limitations of the League of Nations.
- The USA (one of the most powerful nations in the world) was never a member.
- It had no army to enforce its decisions.
- If nations didn’t agree with its aims it was easy to withdraw eg. Germany in October 1933 and Japan in March 1933.
