- What factors contributed to the division of Europe into two hostile blocs? Why did European leaders fail to resolve the tensions and conflicts that led to this situation?
- How did political leaders channel their nation’s resources into the war effort? How did their policies affect European society and government?
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- How did the war undermine the tsarist regime in Russia? How did the tsar himself contribute to the collapse of his government?
- To what extent did Lenin dictate the course of events during the Russian Revolution? To what extent did he merely take advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves?
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- What steps did Western leaders take to repair the political and economic damage of World War I? Why were the new political and economic systems they created so fragile?
- How did the experience of World War I shape Western thought and culture in the 1920s?
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LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD
- Compare and contrast the peace settlements that followed the Napoleonic wars and World War I. Which was more successful? Why?
- Argue for or against the following statement: “The roots of the economic crisis and global conflicts of the 1930s and 1940s can be found in the failures of the 1920s.” What evidence can you present to support your position?
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