Interwar Years

Definition

The interwar years refer to the period between World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). This time frame includes political, economic, and social changes as countries recovered from one war while preparing for another.

Related terms

Treaty of Versailles: A peace treaty signed after World War I that placed blame on Germany, imposed reparations on them, and caused political instability across Europe.

Great Depression: A severe worldwide economic downturn that started with stock market crashes in 1929. It lasted throughout much of the interwar years.

League of Nations: An international organization founded after World War I to promote peace and prevent future conflicts. It was replaced by the United Nations after World War II.