‘Between Two Fires’- The Inter War Years 1920 – 1939 The Road to War

A Changing Society After World War I, many people yearned to return to life as it had been before 1914. But rapid social changes would make it hard to turn back the clock. New technologies helped create a mass culture shared by millions in the world’s developed countries. Affordable cars gave middle-class people greater mobility. The war changed social values and the class system itself. Rebellious young people rejected the moral values of the Victorian age and chased excitement. Labor-saving devices freed women from many time-consuming household chores. Women pursued careers in many arenas. Radios brought news, music, and sports into homes throughout the western world.

Cultural Developments

Economic Developments New York stock market crash (US but effects felt worldwide) Huge war debts (France, Italy, Germany) In Soviet Union the economy was near ruin due to not only WWI debt but Civil War General Strike (Great Britain) High Unemployment throughout world, soaring inflation in France, Italy and Germany Stalin’s 5 Year Plan (Soviet Union)

1933 New Deal

Political Developments US- Isolationism: Did not want to get involved with Europe’s problems again Great Britain- Rise of the Labour Party and a Free State for Ireland France- Many extreme parties, formed Coalitions Italy- Rise of Fascism and Mussolini Germany- Weimar Republic then Rise of Nazism and Hitler Soviet Union- Government purges under Stalin

1922 Benito Mussolini

Mussolini’s Italy POLITICAL STRUCTURE ECONOMIC POLICY SOCIAL POLICIES By 1925, Mussolini had assumed the title Il Duce, “The Leader.” In theory, Italy remained a parliamentary monarchy. In fact, it became a dictatorship upheld by terror. The Fascists relied on secret police and propaganda. Mussolini brought the economy under state control. Unlike socialists, Mussolini preserved capitalism. Workers received poor wages and were forbidden to strike. The individual was unimportant except as a member of the state. Men were urged to be ruthless warriors. Women were called on to produce more children. Fascist youth groups toughened children and taught them to obey strict military discipline.

What Is Fascism? In the 1920s and 1930s, fascism meant different things in different countries. All forms of fascism, however, shared some basic features: extreme nationalism pursuit of aggressive foreign expansion glorification of action, violence, discipline, and, above all, blind loyalty to the state rejection of democratic ideas glorification of warfare as a necessary and noble struggle for survival- Militarism

1933 After his appointment as chancellor in 1933, Hitler transformed the Weimar Republic into the Third Reich, a single-party dictatorship based on the totalitarian and autocratic ideology of Nazism.

The Third Reich POLITICAL POLICIES ECONOMIC POLICIES SOCIAL POLICIES 4 POLITICAL POLICIES ECONOMIC POLICIES Hitler repudiated, or rejected, the hated Treaty of Versailles. Hitler organized a system of terror, repression, and totalitarian rule. Hitler launched a large public works program. Hitler began to rearm Germany, in violation of the Versailles treaty. SOCIAL POLICIES CULTURAL POLICIES The Nazis indoctrinated young people with their ideology. Hitler spread his message of racism. The Nazis sought to limit women’s roles. School courses and textbooks were written to reflect Nazi racial views. The Nazis sought to purge, or purify, German culture. Hitler sought to replace religion with his racial creed.

1936 Rome-Berlin Axis

Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin Dictator Nation Political Movement Action Mussolini Italy Fascism: preached an extreme form of patriotism and nationalism that was often linked to racism They oppressed people who did not share their views Hitler Germany Nazism: Fascist National Socialist German Workers Party, preached German racial superiority. Promised to avenge the nations defeat in WWI Won control of the government and overthrew the constitution Stalin Russia Communism: economic and political Crushed opposition Student’s active learning with in groups, 3 groups each gets a country

Do-Now

Appeasement: giving into aggressive demands in order to avoid war/keep the peace

If Hitler is given the Sudetenland, will he stop? Hitler’s Rise to Power After his appointment as chancellor in 1933, Hitler transformed the Weimar Republic into the Third Reich, a single-party dictatorship based on the totalitarian and autocratic ideology of Nazism. 1936: Hitler and Mussolini form the Rome-Berlin Axis 1936: German troops marched into the Rhineland 1938: Nazi Germany annexed Austria Hitler wants the Sudetenland (region of Czechoslovakia where many German people live.) Czechoslovakia refuses and France and Russia support Czechoslovakia September 1938: Hitler and Chamberlain (Prime Minster of England) met in Munich Germany. Teacher taught if time If Hitler is given the Sudetenland, will he stop?

The Versailles Treaty Review Italy gained less territory than promised Japan felt ignored Germany was harshly punished: Lost more than 10% of their territory Lost all their colonies Required to disarm Had to pay expensive reparations (war damages) Forced to take all the blame These nations (especially Germany) felt betrayed, angry, resentful Teacher