The Great War and the Interwar Years From 1918 to 1939

Women after WWI Due to significance of women’s groups helping to support the war through work and education, many women demand more freedoms throughout the world. -Many nations grant Women’s Suffrage (right to vote) -Women begin to play a larger role in politics and social movements

After World War I… Totalitarianism spreads to some nations (e.g. Italy, Germany, Japan, Russia). Japanese Militarism increases in Asia Fascism: Belief that Society is more important than the individual Independence Movements after WWI: -Gandhi = India -Mao Zedong = China -Haile Selassie = Ethiopia

Great Depression Over-abundance of Food  Low prices for food Loans to foreign nations are not repaid on time  Animosity between nations increases People lose their jobs leading to a cycle of job loss that is hard to break Job lost  Spend less  Business receive less $  Lay off workers  Job loss

Pre-WWII Japan Leader = Emperor Hirohito Government = Military Dictatorship (Fascist) Invades China to strengthen nation [following the West’s example] Nanjing Massacre: Thousands of Chinese tortured/raped/executed in former capitol of China

Pre-WWII Italy Leader = Benito Mussolini Government = Military Dictatorship (Fascist) Invades Ethiopia [positioned between two Italian colonies] in 1935 Strengthened Military might

Pre-WWII Germany Leader = Adolf Hitler Government = Socialist Dictatorship Nuremberg Laws (1935): Forced Jewish people to live in Ghettos, heavy taxes, punished for religion, scapegoat Kristallnacht (1938): “Night of Broken Glass”; Hundreds killed; thousands brought to prison/camps; businesses and home broken into and robbed.

Pre-WWII Russia Leader = Josef [Joseph] Stalin Government= Communist Dictatorship Gulags: Forced enemies of the government into work-camps (gulags). Many are worked to death Although Hitler and Stalin hate each other, they sign a Nonaggression pact, stating they would not attack one another (cut a deal to split up Poland)