DEMOCRACY AFTER WWI

BELL RINGER Describe the cartoon to the right. What does it show? How does this cartoon describe what an entire economy/country went through?

OBJECTIVE & ESSENTIAL QUESTION Today, we will take a look at how World War I and the Treaty of Versailles affected democracy and created an environment where totalitarianism was able to gain a foothold and flourish. By the end of the period, you should be able to answer: What were some of the challenges that arose for western democracy (Europe and the USA) after World War I?

CONDITIONS IN EUROPE AFTER WWI Countries unhappy with ToV (Treaty of Versailles) Huge debts and rebuilding costs, especially France and Germany League of Nations ineffective Worldwide Depression Starts in USA, echoes around world Unemployment skyrockets Unemployed Job-seekers

GREAT BRITAIN Low wages/unemployment cause workers to strike Allowed colonies to begin working toward independence Disagreements with France about Germany ToV too tough on Germany Unemployment soup kitchens

FRANCE Recovers quickly from WWI German reparations, Alsace-Lorraine Keep German economy weak Great Depression doesn’t hurt France as bad Gov’t lacks strong leadership Builds up defense – Maginot Line Northern France - hotel

UNITED STATES Best shape post WWI Few casualties, no damage, strong economy Refused to join League of Nations Don’t get involved with Europe’s problems Boom, then Bust Prosperous until stock market crash Results: High unemployment New Deal – Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) Gov’t more active in economy Ease pain – doesn’t solve problem

BTW… Great BritainFrance United States Create a chart that looks like this. In each box, please list 2 things that you feel is most important to that country post-World War I. Also, include one reason why you feel these countries were able to continue on as democracies, while others fell to dictators