Interwar Foreign Policy
Grace Lewis
8 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers the interwar period and the road to WWII, focusing on US foreign policy. It examines America's initial isolationism, the rise of totalitarianism, the Good Neighbor Policy, the Neutrality Acts, and the gradual shift towards interventionism through Cash and Carry and the Lend-Lease Act. Finally, it explores the attack on Pearl Harbor and the US entry into the war.
#AP US History: Interwar Period & Road to WWII 🚀
Hey there, future AP historian! Let's get you prepped for the exam with a super-focused review of the interwar period and the lead-up to World War II. We'll break it down, make it memorable, and get you feeling confident! 💪
#Post-WWI: A Return to "Normalcy"?
#The US Steps Back (Kind Of)
- Return to Normalcy: President Harding's slogan meant less European entanglement, but not complete isolation.
- Limited Engagement: The US still had colonies, wanted global trade, and sought to prevent future wars through treaties.
#Attempts at Peace and Stability
- Washington Conference (1921): Tried to limit naval arms races, with a focus on battleship ratios.
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US, UK > Japan > France, Italy
US aimed to curb Japanese naval power in the Pacific.
Think of it like a pinky promise between countries – nice in theory, but not very effective.
#The Dawes Plan: A House of Cards 🃏
- US Banks loaned money to Germany → Germany paid reparations to UK & France → UK & France repaid US banks for WWI loans → repeat.
This cycle worked until the Great Depression hit the US, and the whole thing collapsed.
Practice Question
Multiple Choice:
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The Washington Naval Conference of 1921 was primarily intended to: (A) Establish a new international peacekeeping organization. (B) Limit the naval arms race among major powers. (C) Promote free trade and economic cooperation. (D) Resolve territorial disputes in Europe.
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The Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 is best characterized as: (A) An effective treaty that prevented future wars. (B) A symbolic agreement lacking enforcement mechanisms. (C) A military alliance between the United States and European powers. (D) A plan for economic recovery after World War I.
Short Answer Question:
Briefly explain the main goals of the Dawes Plan and why it ultimately failed.
#American Isolationism & The Rise of Totalitarianism
#The World Goes Dark 🌑
- Totalitarian Leaders: Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Stalin (USSR), an...
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