How far do you agree that the 20 century was a war period?

The 20th century was the period between January 1, 1901 and December 31, 2000, inclusive. The
century had the first global-scale wars, mainly the World War I and World War II that was between
several world powers across multiple continents. It has been theorized that the 20th century saw
more technological and scientific progress than all the other centuries combined since the dawn of
civilization.

At World War I (1914-18), after more than four years of trench warfare in Western Europe, those
powers that had formed the Triple Entente (France, Britain, and Russia, later replaced by the
United States and joined by Italy) emerged victorious over the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-
Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). In addition to annexing much of the colonial possessions of
the vanquished states, the Triple Entente exacted reparation payments from their former foes,
plunging Germany in particular into economic depression. The Tsarist regime of Nicholas II was
overthrown during the conflict and Russia was transitioned into the first ever communist state,
and the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires were dismantled at the war's conclusion.

After the First World War everyone wanted to avoid repeating the mass slaughter of the war that
had just ended. It has been agreed that a League of Nations –an organization that could solve
international problems without resorting war-would help to achieve this.

The League of Nations opened for business in January 1920. The country, whose president,
Woodrow Wilson, had dreamt up the idea of the League - America -, refused to join it. This was a
major blow to the hopes of its founders. It also marked the beginning of a period of US
isolationism, which kept the US effectively out of European political affairs for the majority of the
inter-war period.

The two most powerful members of the League were Britain and France. Both had suffered
financially and militarily during the First World War. Neither of them was enthusiastic to get
involved in disputes that did not affect Western Europe.

The League succeeded in providing assistance to bankrupt nations, supervising its mandates, and
resolving conflicts between minor powers. It was also quite successful in settling border disputes -
for example, it settled a dispute between Sweden and Finland over the Aaland Islands, and
stopped a war between Greece and Bulgaria. However, when it was faced with a strong nation, for
instance Italy in 1923 over Corfu - the League could do nothing.

Another example would be at the Manchurian crisis in 1931. Japan was a leading member of the
League and invaded Manchuria. Economic sanctions had been discussed but without its trading
partner- the USA- nothing could be arranged. The league was powerless. Britain and France were
not prospected on risking their navies or armies in a war against Japan. No action has been taken.
Japan left the League in March 1933.
Similar occasions occurred, such us when Mussolini (Leader of Italy) invaded Abyssinia in 1934.
The League lacked of authority. It was not able to take risks. One of its main failures at this point
was the lack of troops; and Britain and France were not willing to commit theirs. Italy left the
League in 1937.

Few other countries left the League, all of them realized that it had failed. They began to re-arm as
fast as possible, it seemed that each country was looking after itself and ignoring the League.

Britain signed a naval agreement with Germany in 1935. For the next three years, Britain followed
a policy of giving Hitler what he wanted that became known as Appeasement. The fact that Hitler
was standing up for communism and that the Treaty of Versailles was becoming to be seen as
unfair, was enough for the British to follow this policy.

Appeasement encouraged Hitler to be aggressive. Each gamble he got away with encouraged him
to take a bigger risk. It also allowed Germany to grow too strong. Germany was almost becoming
more powerful than Britain and France. It also putted too much trust in Hitler´s promises.
Appeasement was based on the mistaken idea that Hitler was trustworthy.

This policy failed in 1939 when Hitler invaded Poland on 1 September 1939. Britain and France
declared war on Germany on 3 September.

When war broke out, the League closed down; its headquarters in Geneva remained empty
throughout the war.

The war became a World War by the involvement of the USA against Japan. On 7 December 1941
Japan invaded the US naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The next day the US Congress declared
war on Japan and three days later, on 11 December, Hitler declared war on the USA. This is the
start of the Second World War.