The illusion of peace : international relations in Europe, 1918-1933

Sally Marks provides a compelling analysis of European diplomacy between the First World War and Hitler's advent. She explores in clear and lively prose the reasons why successive efforts failed to create a lasting peace in the interwar era. Building on the theories of the first edition - many of which have become widely accepted since its publication in 1976 - Marks reassesses Europe's leaders of the period, and the policies of the powers between 1918 and 1933, and beyond. Strongly interpretative and archivally based, The Illusion of Peace examines the emotional, ethnic, and economic factors responsible for international instability, as well as the distortion of the balance of power, the abnormal position of the Soviet Union, the weakness of France and the uncertainty of her relationship with Britain, and the inadequacy of the League of Nations. In so doing, the study clarifies the complex topics of reparations and war debts and challenges traditional assumptions, concluding that widespread western devotion to disarmament and dedication to peace were two of several reasons why democratic statesmen could not respond decisively to Hitler's threat. In this new edition Marks also argues that the Allied failure to bring defeat home to the German people in 1918-19 generated a resentment which contributed to interwar instability and Hitler's rise. This highly successful study has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest scholarship. Now in its second edition, it remains the essential introduction to the tense political and diplomatic situation in Europe during the interwar years. Sally Marks Provides A Compelling Analysis Of European Diplomacy Between The First World War And Hitler's Advent. She Explores The Reasons Why Successive Efforts Failed To Create A Lasting Peace In The Interwar Era. Building On The Theories Of The First Edition - Many Of Which Have Become Widely Accepted Since Its Publication In 1976 - Marks Reassesses Europe's Leaders Of The Period, And The Policies Of The Powers Between 1918 And 1933, And Beyond. Strongly Interpretive And Archivally Based, The Illusion Of Peace Examines The Emotional, Ethnic And Economic Factors Responsible For International Instability, As Well As The Distortion Of The Balance Of Power, The Abnormal Position Of The Soviet Union, The Weakness Of France And The Uncertainty Of Her Relationship With Britain, And The Inadequacy Of The League Of Nations. In So Doing, The Study Clarifies The Complex Topics Of Reparations And War Debts And Challenges Traditional Assumptions, Concluding That Widespread Western Devotion To Disarmament And Dedication To Peace Were Two Of Several Reasons Why Democratic Statesmen Could Not Respond Decisively To Hitler's Threat. In This New Edition Marks Also Argues That The Allied Failure To Bring Defeat Home To The German People In 1918-19 Generated A Resentment Which Contributed To Interwar Instability And Hitler's Rise. This Study Has Been Thoroughly Revised And Updated To Reflect The Latest Scholarship.--jacket. Europe In 1914 -- Europe In 1925 -- Weimar Germany -- Eastern Europe In 1925 -- The Pursuit Of Peace -- The Effort To Enforce The Peace -- The Revision Of The Peace -- The Years Of Illusion -- The Crumbling Of Illusion -- The End Of Old Illusions. Sally Marks. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [188]-199) And Index. "Sally Marks provides a compelling analysis of European diplomacy between the First World War and Hitler's advent. She explores the reasons why successive efforts failed to create a lasting peace in the interwar era. Building on the theories of the first edition - many of which have become widely accepted since its publication in 1976 - Marks reassesses Europe's leaders of the period, and the policies of the powers between 1918 and 1933, and beyond." "Strongly interpretive and archivally based, The Illusion of Peace examines the emotional, ethnic and economic factors responsible for international instability, as well as the distortion of the balance of power, the abnormal position of the Soviet Union, the weakness of France and the uncertainty of her relationship with Britain, and the inadequacy of the League of Nations. In so doing, the study clarifies the complex topics of reparations and war debts and challenges traditional assumptions, concluding that widespread Western devotion to disarmament and dedication to peace were two of several reasons why democratic statesmen could not respond decisively to Hitler's threat. In this new edition Marks also argues that the Allied failure to bring defeat home to the German people in 1918-19 generated a resentment which contributed to interwar instability and Hitler's rise." "This study has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest scholarship."-- Provided by publisher Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Map 1 Europe in 1914......Page 7 Map 2 Europe in 1925......Page 8 Map 3 Weimar Germany......Page 9 Map 4 Eastern Europe in 1925......Page 10 1 The Pursuit of Peace......Page 12 2 The Effort to Enforce the Peace......Page 40 3 The Revision of the Peace......Page 74 4 The Years of Illusion......Page 94 5 The Crumbling of Illusion......Page 127 6 The End of Old Illusions......Page 157 Chronological Table......Page 172 Notes and References......Page 179 Bibliography......Page 199 B......Page 212 C......Page 214 F......Page 215 G......Page 216 I......Page 217 L......Page 218 P......Page 220 R......Page 221 S......Page 222 T......Page 223 W......Page 224 Z......Page 225 Sally Marks' compelling analysis of European diplomacy between World War I and Hitler's advent, explores the reasons why a lasting peace failed to occur in the interwar era. Building on the theories of the first edition, Marks argues that the Allied failure to bring defeat home to the German people, and the consequences of this oversight, were partly to blame, and reassesses Europe's leaders and the policies of the powers. Thoroughly revised and updated in the light of recent scholarly and documentary research, the second edition of this highly successful text also includes new material, maps, and an extended bibliography.
Sally Marks' analysis of European diplomacy between the World War I and Hitler's advent explores the reasons why a lasting peace failed to occur in the interwar era. Building on the theories of the first edition, Marks argues that the Allied failure to bring defeat home to the German people, and the consequences of this oversight, were partly to blame, and he reassesses Europe's leaders and the policies of the powers. Revised and updated in the light of scholarly and documentary research, the second edition of this text also includes new material, maps and an extended bibliography