<P> The war had cost millions of lives and led many in the West to develop a strong distaste for war . Few were satisfied with, and many despised the agreements made at the end of the war . Japanese and Italians were angry they had not been given any new colonies after the war, and many Americans felt the war had been a mistake . Germans were outraged at the state of their country following the war . Also, unlike many in the United States for example, had hoped, democracy did not flourish in the world in the post-war period . The League of Nations, an international organization proposed by American president Woodrow Wilson to prevent another great war from breaking out, proved ineffective, especially because the isolationist U.S. wound end up not joining . </P> <P> After World War I, most Americans regretted getting involved in world affairs and desired a "return to normalcy". The 1920s were a period of economic prosperity in the United States . Many Americans bought cars, radios, and other appliances with the help of installment payments . Movie theaters sprang up throughout the country, although at first they did not have sound . Also, many Americans invested in the stock market as a source of income . Also in the 1920s, alcoholic beverages were outlawed in the United States . Women were granted the right to vote throughout the United States . Although the United States was arguably the most powerful nation in the post-war period, Americans remained isolationist and elected several conservative presidents in the 1920s . </P> <P> In October 1929 the New York stock market crashed, leading to the Great Depression . Many lost their life's savings and the resulting decline in consumer spending led millions to lose their jobs as banks and businesses closed . In the Midwestern United States, a severe drought destroyed many farmers' livelihoods . In 1932, Americans elected Franklin D. Roosevelt president . Roosevelt followed a series of policies which regulated the stock market and banks, and created many public works programs aimed at providing the unemployed with work . Roosevelt's policies helped alleviate the worst effects of the Depression, although by 1941 the Great Depression was still ongoing . Roosevelt also instituted pensions for the elderly and provided money to those who were unemployed . Roosevelt was also one of the most popular presidents in U.S. history, earning re-election in 1936, and also in 1940 and 1944, becoming the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms . </P> <P> Europe was relatively unstable following World War I . Although many prospered in the 1920s, Germany was in a deep financial and economic crisis . Also, France and Britain owed the U.S. a great deal of money . When the United States went into Depression, so did Europe . There were perhaps 30 million people around the world unemployed following the Depression . Many governments helped to alleviate the suffering of their citizens and by 1937 the economy had improved although the lingering effects of the Depression remained . Also, the Depression led to the spread of radical left - wing and right - wing ideologies, like Communism and Fascism . </P>

Which of the following was an important contribution of roman civilization to western europe