Depression and the Rise of Fascism INTERWAR YEARS Depression and the Rise of Fascism

WWII: LONG-TERM FACTORS Treaty of Versailles (1919) League of Nations (1920) Depression (1920s-1930s) Rise of Fascist Dictatorships (1920s-1930s)

TREATY OF VERSAILLES What was this? How did it lead to WWII?

TREATY OF VERSAILLES Treaty between Germany and the Allied Powers after WWI Germany had to accept blame for starting the war. Germany had to pay $33 billion USD in reparations for the damage done during the war. Germany was forbidden to have submarines or an air force. Their navy was limited to six battleships and their army to just 100,000 men. Germany could not plan any troops in the Rhineland (the strip of land next to France.) Germany lost territory in Europe and all colonies were given to Britain and France. Paid off WWI reparations in 2010.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS Why was the League weak? It had no “teeth” – couldn’t enforce any of its declarations with military strength.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS Why was the League weak? U.S. did not join – lacked international legitimacy.

WORLDWIDE DEPRESSION BEGINS IN GERMANY 1920s-1930s (U.S.: 1929) Germany currency loses value after they lose WWI Germany prints more and more money to pay reparations hyperinflation Why would this lead to WWII? At some points prices doubled every 4 years! Loaf of bread – in January cost 250 Marks; by November (same year) it cost 200 billion Marks! People negotiated the price of a meal in advance because by the time the food would arrive, the price would have already increased.

RISE OF DICTATORSHIPS Hideki Tojo becomes Prime Minister of Japan (1941) Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany (1933) Mussolini becomes Prime Minister of Italy (1922)

WHAT IS FASCISM? Give students handout (Communism vs. Fascism Chart)

CAUSES OF WWII (1930S) Appeasement by Europe and the United States Appeasement: to give in or allow something to happen in order to “keep the peace” Aggression by Germany

APPEASEMENT Appeasement – Britain and France wanted to avoid war so they continually give in to Hitler’s demands Britain – realized the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh towards Germany and was sympathetic France – would not do anything without Britain U.S. – dealing with the Great Depression and trying to return to its isolationist stance Russia – undergoing the “Great Purge” under Stalin Consequence: Hitler becomes confident that the Allies were weak and would not fight – no matter what he does

AGGRESSION Germany needs lebensraum (“living space”) to build its civilization of the “Master Race” 1936 – reoccupies the demilitarized Rhineland 1938 – annexes Austria 1938 – Munich Pact gives Germany control of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia *High point of Western appeasement: Pact signed by Britain and France Chamberlain (Britain): “The agreement establishes peace for our time.” 1939 – signs a nonaggression pact with USSR (and agree to divide Poland between the two countries) 1939 – invasion of Poland Official beginning of WWII: September 1, 1939 Blitzkrieg (“lightning war”)

Stop! Russian Rev time.