Discussion: Setting the Stage for World War II

In the aftermath of World War I, world leaders made concerted efforts to improve international relations and reduce the likelihood of another world war.  These efforts began during the Paris Peace Conference at the end of the war, informed the terms of the peace treaties that concluded the war, and resulted in the creation of new international peacekeeping organizations, like the League of Nations and the Permanent Court of International Justice. 

Despite these efforts, events of the 1920s and 1930s, including the rise of Benito Mussolini as dictator as Italy and Adolf Hitler as dictator in Germany, undermined their ultimate effectiveness.  Looking back, it may be easy for us to see how these and other events set the stage for World War II.  But we have the benefit of hindsight.  People at the time had to make decisions based only on what they knew at the time.  And, for them, the next world war remained an unknowable part of the world to come.

For your Discussion this week, you will analyze the overall effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations during the interwar period, as well as the factors that contributed to the rise of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the Ginneken and Lukacs readings in this weeks Learning Resources.
• Additionally, review the excerpt of The 25 Points, a list of goals for the Nazi Party written by Adolf Hitler in 1920, and the excerpt of What is Fascism? a statement that expresses the core beliefs of Fascism written by Benito Mussolini in 1932.
• Consider the impact that the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations had on international relations after World War I.  What were their most significant achievements?  What were their greatest shortcomings?
• Think about the factors that led to the emergence of Fascism in Italy after World War I and the early development of the Nazi Party in Germany.  How did the outcomes of World War I contribute to the growth of Fascism and Nazism in Italy and Germany?      

With these thoughts in mind:

Post a response to the Discussion Spark post. Your response should contain at least two significant paragraphs. Read the Discussion Rubric as it will inform your writing.

Post a 3-paragraph assessment of the following events and developments following World War I:

• Paragraph 1: Analyze the overall effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations
• Paragraph 2: Analyze and explain the factors/events leading to the takeover of Italy by Mussolini and the Fascists
• Paragraphs 3: Analyze and explain the factors/events leading to the takeover of Germany by Hitler and the Nazis

Support your assertions by making at least 2 references to your course readings.