Post WWI & Great Depression Age of Anxiety Post WWI & Great Depression

Europe after WWI

Transformation of Europe Period of Social Change Scientific and Cultural Transformation German Hyperinflation

Social Changes of the 20’s Huge casualties mean more social mobility for those who survive Class distinctions fade Government expansion = more “white-collar” jobs (office work, business, etc) Technology slowed growth of the working class Women earned the right to vote

Flappers

German Hyperinflation German economy collapsed in 1923 Treaty of Versailles Loss of: 15% of its European territory All colonial possessions War Guilt Clause Had to pay the winners back for the war Leads to hyper-inflation

What does hyperinflation look like? What can you do with German money in 1923? Make a fort (below) Burn it for heat (right)

Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe

The Great Depression Causes Effects Agricultural Depression Bank Failures Overproduction of Goods Credit Decline in world trade Massive unemployment Global decline in industrial production Poverty and hunger widespread

Most important event of the Post WWI period The Great Depression Most important event of the Post WWI period Directly leads to WWII Shows that capitalism has some pretty serious flaws

Reactions to the Depression Government Changes The New Deal (in USA) Keynesian Economics (circular flow of $$) Increased government spending & lower taxes=recovery from recession Greater government role in the economy Political Radicalization Rise of communism and fascism Germany and Japan turn to state controlled economic growth

Fascism Mussolini – Italy (1922) One- party dictatorship Took over government, press, public education Extreme nationalism Secret police Fascism appealed to people who feared: rapid change & economic instability

Totalitarianism and Mass Mobilization Characteristics: Attack democracy and capitalism State directed economy State more important than the individual Charismatic dictator Mobilization of the masses Embrace public welfare programs Use censorship and propaganda Women not permitted a public role

Adolf Hitler Ignores the Treaty of Versailles Rise of Hitler Reforms by Hitler Austrian Served in World War I Became chancellor of Germany in 1933 Ignores the Treaty of Versailles Ends war reparations Remilitarizes Germany

What made Hitler so charismatic? Let’s take a look.

Japan Authoritarian Wants out of the Great Depression Government in the hands of a nationalist military group Began aggressively attacking areas of Asia