Ch.

17 Study Questions
1. What factors encouraged the US to follow a foreign policy of
isolationism after WW1?
The Great Depression was the primary reason. Also the US did not want the
cost and casualties that came with war and so adopted a foreign policy of
partial isolationism. The US therefore, declined membership in the League of
Nations and the World Court, with the fear of foreign entanglement
2. What economic and political role did the US play in Latin America?

POLITICAL EFFECTS: Caudillos take power in many countries

ECONOMIC EFFECTS: Crop prices decrease
SOCIAL EFFECTS: The gulf between the rich and poor grows

3. Why did Mexican pres. Lazaro Cardenas nationalize his countrys oil
fields in 1938?
The nationalization was done to assert government control over the business
and to free it of external influence.
4. How did dictators come to power in Europe in the 1930s?
After World War 1, the economic strain brought forth from the Treaty of
Versailles left Germany in dire straits and created civil and social unrest, in
which conditions became favorable for a despotic ruler. Hitlers views were
shared by many people and the Nazi Party won 40% of the national elections.
As a result, Hitler became Chancellor and used his power to take control.
5. What aggressive actions did Japan take during the 1930s?
The Japanese conquered and annexed many of its neighboring countries. It
also bombed Pearl Harbor, which dragged the US into the war.
6. Why did the US enter WW2?
The bombing of Pearl Harbor was what led the US into war. Since the attack
was made on home soil, the war could no longer be ignored. The US
retaliated and therefore joined the war.
7. In what ways did countries promote world peace after WW1?
To promote world peace, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson outlined what was to
become known as his "Fourteen Points". He believed the enactment of these
would form the basis for a just, lasting peace. Also, The League of Nations

(LON) was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris

Peace Conference that ended the First World War.
8. How did economic problems contribute to political unrest after WW1?
Europe was in shambles. The people were jobless and therefore unhappy and
were also humiliated at the outcome of the war.
9. How did the fascist dictatorships in Europe restrict civil liberties?
Elections were meaningless because only government-approved candidates
could run, normally with no opposition.
The press was totally controlled and printed only what it was ordered to
print (no freedom of speech).
Travel was limited, and travel outside the country very restricted
Courts served the interests of the government, not of justice