High School

The Great Depression destabilized the world and made international relations more tense.

MCQ Options:

A. True
B. False

Answer :

Final answer:

The statement that the Great Depression destabilized the world and made international relations more tense is true, due to the significant decrease in global GDP and trade, which led to heightened tensions and rise of extremist political parties.

Explanation:

The Great Depression's Impact on International Relations

The statement that the Great Depression destabilized the world and made international relations more tense is true. One of the hallmark effects of the Great Depression was a sharp decline in worldwide gross domestic product (GDP), which fell by about 15 percent between 1929 and 1932. This decrease in economic productivity had a profound effect on international trade, leading to plummeting trade activities. Furthermore, the economic crises forced U.S. banks to recall loans made to businesses and other countries, exacerbating financial difficulties globally.

As nations struggled to mitigate the damage, they adopted a variety of economic policies which sometimes included reducing foreign trade to try to improve their economies. This protectionist approach led to increased tensions between countries as each sought to navigate its own economic challenges, but ultimately hindered global economic recovery. The economic hardship and political instability during this period paved the way for extremist parties to rise to power in countries like Italy and Germany, adding further to international tensions.

In summary, the Great Depression had a destabilizing effect on international relations as countries turned inwards to address their economic woes, and as a result, tensions rose and cooperative international relationships were strained.