SSWH 17 The student will be able to identify the major political & economic factors that shaped world societies between WWI & WWII.
Science Changes Albert Einstein Theories of Relativity Measurements of space/time are not absolute Inspired post-war scientists to accept the universe was beyond human understanding
Science Changes Sigmund Freud Began to apply the scientific method to studying human behavior Believed that the subconscious mind (what is in our minds that we are NOT aware of) drives our behavior Psychoanalysis Method of treating mental disorders that involves the “talking cure” Talking through problems with a therapist
Totalitarianism Form of government with a one-party dictatorship that regulates every aspect of the lives of its citizens Characteristics Political enemies jailed/killed Other political parties banned Media controlled by gov’t Propaganda Denial of individual rights
USSR after the Revolution Joseph Stalin Took over the Communist Party after Lenin’s death in 1924. Five Year Plans Stalin’s economic plan that made the USSR self- sufficient. Industrialization a priority Protected the USSR from the worst effects of the Great Depression.
Stalin’s Rule Collectivization KGB Great Purge 1937-1938 All land in the USSR became the property of the gov’t. Standard of living remained low. KGB Secret police that sought out political opponents and killed them or sent them to labor camps. Great Purge 1937-1938 4 million people killed
Great Depression The United States came out of WWI in the best shape economically. The US loaned a lot of money to countries around the world to help them rebuild after the war. By the 1920s, the US economy had gotten worse, so they tried to get countries to pay back their loans, which they couldn’t do. A world-wide depression resulted Long period where many people are without jobs. Spending by individuals, businesses, and governments goes down. People blame their governments for this depression which opens the door for radical leaders to come to power.
Italy After WWI, Italy was in chaos because of inflation and unemployment Italians were also upset because they didn’t think they had been treated fairly by the Treaty of Versailles Benito Mussolini Promised to revive the economy & rebuild military Fascism Political party characterized by extreme nationalism & extreme militarism Fascists gained in popularity until the King of Italy had no choice but to give power over to Mussolini in 1922
Mussolini’s Rule Black Shirts Focused on “shaping the youth” Secret Police that found and punished dissidents Focused on “shaping the youth” Wanted to restore the glory of the Roman Empire Aggression/expansion
Germany After WWI, Germany was in chaos because Unhappy with terms of Treaty of Versailles Dissatisfaction with the government put in place in Germany after the war (Weimar Republic) National Socialist German Workers Party AKA Nazi Party Political party that began to rise in popularity in the late 1920s by promising to restore Germany to its former glory
Adolf Hitler Became leader of the Nazi Party in 1921 Mein Kampf (1925) Book written by Hitler where he laid out his plans: Germans (Aryans) master race) Blames Jews and other “undesirable races” for Germany’s loss in WWI and economic problems Germans should control Europe Treaty of Versailles is unfair and should be ignored
Adolf Hitler Elections of 1933 Brown Shirts Gestapo Nazi party won a majority of the elections Brown Shirts Hitler’s supporters Later becomes known as the SS Enforced Hitler’s beliefs and policies by using terror and intimidation. Gestapo Secret Police
Japan Constitutional monarchy Emperor was seen as the supreme military commander and was believed to be divine. Democratic influences increased after WWI Hirohito Became emperor in 1926 Increased the powers of the emperor Built up Japan’s military