Exam Questions - Part 3

How far did the failure to solve the problems of the First World War contribute to the causes of the Second World War?  

To what extent do models of ‘total war’ offer credible explanations for the atrocities of the 1914-18 and 1939-45 conflicts?

‘From the British perspective, both world wars were fought to contain aggressive German expansionism in continental Europe. In that respect, their causes were similar.’ Discuss

To what extent were the differences in the conduct of war between 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 determined by technology and ideology?

What is to be said for and against the ‘Thirty Years War’ thesis? How useful do you find it in understanding European international history between 1914 and 1945?

To what extent were the First and Second World Wars two parts of one continuous struggle?

‘Of the two world wars, only the second was truly a total war.’ Discuss

Did the ‘Fischer Controversy’ help to focus attention on the underlying continuities between the causes of the two world wars?

‘While the Second World War was fought for a great, good cause, the First World War was fought for no cause at all’. Discuss.