Table of Contents
Introduction iv
1 What you will study iv
2 Structure of the syllabus v
3 About this book ix
Chapter 1 Empire and the emergence of world powers, c. 1870-1919 2
1 Why was imperialism a significant force for late nineteenth-century Europe? 3
2 What was the impact of imperial expansion on international relations? 16
3 Why did Japan emerge as a world power and what was the impact on international relations? 32
4 Why did the USA emerge as a world power and what was the impact on international relations? 39
Study skills 52
Chapter 2 The League of Nations and international relations in the 1920s 58
1 Why was there dissatisfaction with the peace settlements of 1919-20? 59
2 How and why did international tensions remain high in the period 1920-23? 78
3 How successful were attempts to improve international relations from 1924-29? 89
4 How successful was the League of Nations during the 1920s? 97
Study skills 109
Chapter 3 The League of Nations and international relations in the 1930s 118
1 How did the rise of extremism affect international relations? 1 118
2 Why did the League of Nations fail to keep the peace in the 1930s? 144
3 Why, and with what effects, did Britain and France pursue a policy of appeasement? 153
4 Why did war break out in 1939? 158
Study skills 165
Chapter 4 China and Japan, 1912-45 173
1 What were the implications of the warlord era', which affected China 1916-27? 174
2 How effectively did Chiang Kai-shek deal with the Communists in the period 1927-36? 190
3 Why did the Chinese Communist Party gain support up to 1945? 200
4 Why did Japan become a military dictatorship in the 1930s and with what consequences? 205
Study skills 217
Further reading 222
Glossary 226
Index 232
