The West Between the Wars Chapter 24

Uneasy Peace, Uncertain Security The Treaty of Versailles created new boundaries, states & occupied territories; however many were unhappy. The League of Nations was weak. France demanded reparations from Germany; when unable to pay, France occupied the Ruhr Valley.

Passive resistance to French occupation = German Inflation August 1924, The Dawes Plan: Reduced reparations Coordinated Germany’s payments with ability to pay Granted a $200 million loan (Am. Investment) Germany & France sign a treaty, and 23 nations sign a pact renouncing war.

The Great Depression Causes: Responses: Slump in the economies of many nations International financial crisis U.S. Stock Market Crash Responses: Unemployed and homeless filled the streets. Govt. interference in the economy Renewed interest in Marxist doctrines

Democratic states after the war Germany –Weimar Republic Problems: Lack of political leaders Economic & social problems France Financial problems lead to political problems. Formation of Popular Front Government

Great Britain: Lost a great deal of industry to U.S. & Japan during the war Shift in political power to Conservatives. Key leader: John Maynard Keynes.

U.S.—FDR & New Deal Capitalism had to be reformed The New Deal increased programs of public works, created the welfare system, Social Security, & unemployment insurance (All written in ways to allow for the exclusion of minorities)

Key Idea: Economic problems caused people to demand changes in govt. Even with changes, WWII is the only thing that solves the unemployment problem.

The Great Depression

Fascism Rises in Europe In each nation, Fascists wore uniforms of certain color, used special salutes & held mass rallies

Fascist Beliefs & Policies Fascism is a political movement that stresses extreme loyalty to the state and its leader. Support for Fascists comes from aristocrats, industrialists, veterans, and the lower middle class.

Fascism is similar to Communism Ruled by dictator & one party system Both denied individual rights State is supreme Difference is that Fascists didn’t want a classless society.

Mussolini Comes to Power in Italy In Italy, Fascism gains followers because of disappointment over the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, inflation, and unemployment. Benito Mussolini gains supporters b/c he is seen as a strong leader. People feared communism Fascists in black shirts attacked Communists in the streets.

In October 1922, after Fascists march on Rome, Mussolini takes charge of Italy’s govt. Mussolini was known as “IL Duce” (the leader) Under Mussolini, Italy b/c the model for Fascists in other countries.

He outlawed political parties & strikes, jailed his opponents, used govt. censors & secret police.

Other Countries fall to Dictators In Hungary & Poland, the new democratic governments formed after WWI fall to dictators. By 1935, Czechoslovakia is the only democracy in eastern Europe. Eastern Europeans turn to dictatorship b/c they see authoritarian rule as the only way to prevent instability.

Civil war in Spain leads to a Fascist dictatorship Civil war in Spain leads to a Fascist dictatorship. (Francisco Franco— Supported by Italy & Germany). The Soviet Union supported the Republican government, not Franco

A New Era in the Soviet Union After agricultural disaster in Russia, Lenin abandoned war communism in favor of his New Economic Policy (NEP). System allowed for small businesses Prevented further economic disaster 1922, Russia officially becomes the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)

After Lenin died in 1924, a struggle began for control amongst his advisors. Joseph Stalin gains control of the Communist Party (he allegedly orders the assassination of Trotsky)

Stalin shifts from the NEP with his Five-Year Plan. Transform the USSR into an industrial country. Social cost of 5 year plans: not much money spent on housing… creation of slums, propaganda stressed sacrifice for the good of the state

Private farms were eliminated under Collectivization, the government owned all of the land. Political Costs: Old Bolsheviks removed or put to death, others who resisted were sent to labor camps in Sibera.

Hitler takes control in Germany The German brand of fascism is called Nazism. Adolf Hitler’s skills as an organizer and speaker help him become head of the Nazi party. Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf, sets forth his anti-Semitic beliefs and his plans for conquest.

Used Swastika as their symbol Had a private militia called Stormtroopers or brown shirts. Mein Kampf was written while in jail for failed attempt to over-throw govt. (served 5 years)

Germany’s economic problems and fear of the Communist party help Hitler take power legally (President Paul von Hindenburg named Hitler chancellor). Hitler then demanded passage of the Enabling Act (a 4 year dictatorship) and used his power to turn Germany into a totalitarian state.

Jews were encouraged to emigrate from Germany. He banned all other political parties & had opponents arrested & created the SS (Schutzstaffel) Protection squad The SS wore black uniforms and they were loyal only to Hitler (Gestapo) Hitler put Germans to work—dropping unemployment from 6 million to 2.6 million Jews were encouraged to emigrate from Germany.

9 Nov 1938—Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken Glass). Hitler turned the press, radio, literature, painting and film into propaganda tools. 9 Nov 1938—Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken Glass). Nazi mobs attacked Jews in their homes & streets, destroyed Jewish owned buildings

Cultural & Intellectual Trends Section 4

Radio, Movies, & Free Time In the 1920s, Broadcasting facilities were built in the U.S., Europe, & Japan. Mass production of radios & the first full-length feature pictures Movies & radios could be used for political purposes Nazis had radio manufacturers offer installment payment plans. (Joseph Goebbles- German Propaganda Minister)

The creation of the eight-hour work day brought more free time leisure activities– Professional sporting events & Travel (made affordable by the use of trains, busses, & cars) Activities promoted government ideals-- Kraft durch Freude (“Strength through Joy”)

Video

Artistic & Literary Trends Political, economic, & social uncertainties lead to intellectual uncertainties after WWI. Abstract Art became popular Art was a way of escaping reality. 2 movements: Dada Surrealism

Dadaists—believed that life had no purpose. Surrealism—sought reality beyond the material world in the unconscious. Hitler rejected modern art in favor of art that glorified the Aryan race. Literature—new works exposed the inner thoughts of characters, some expressed the spiritual loneliness of modern humans.

Physics was also affected by the age of uncertainty. 1927, German physicist Werner Heisenberg explained the uncertainty principle. All of our physical laws are based on uncertainty b/c the behavior of subatomic particles is unpredictable. (completely contradicts Newton)