The Second World War, and especially its origins, continue to dominate undergraduate syllabi. This volume of original essays by international experts covers all aspects of the field to provide a tightly edited textbook which, in its coverage and content, is ideal for students, scholars and general readers. The collection is divided into two parts: part one explores the role of the revisionist Powers, the status quo Powers and the small states, while part two examines key themes, including diplomacy, intelligence, ideology, armaments, propaganda and economics.

From 1918 to 1939 one issue dominated French foreign and defence policy: the German problem. This work outlines France's strategies for protection and appeasement during this period and places inter-war relations in a larger European context. With contributions from scholars in the field, it examines: relationships with key countries such as Italy and Russia; the significance of inter-war France to 20th-century European integration; the historical context of the policies; and the setbacks and defeats of the period and how they should be evaluated.

Challenging the standard narrative of Interwar International History, this account establishes the causal relationship between the global political and economic crises of the period, and offers a radically new look at the role of ideology, racism and the leading liberal powers in the events between the First and Second World Wars.