The Years Between the Wars Chapter 24

Europe Recovered From W.W.I W.W.I had huge costs Millions of lives had been lost Combined $200 billion had been spent fighting the war. As a Result By 1918 every major European country was nearly bankrupt

Effects of W.W.I W.W.I affected Europe in two main ways. 1. Europe lost its dominance in world affairs. Japan and U.S. became more dominant. 2. Sudden rise of new democracies. Between 1914 and 1918 Europe’s last absolute rulers were all over-thrown. For the first time in history most European countries were ruled by democratic governments. Only two world powers came out of the Great war in better financial shape then when they entered. Japan and the US. Neither country had suffered fighting on its own soil and ultimately both had expanded their international trade during the war. The Hohenzollerns in Germany and the Hapsburgs in Austria-Hungary and the Romanovs in Russia. In Russia remember the new democratic government fell to a communist dictatorship.

New Republics The new republics that had formed were shaky. Even nations that had democracy for many years experienced problems. European countries had so many political parties that no one party could rule alone. France and Italy already had parliament systems prior to WWI. The situation was the Worst in Germany…where the people felt little loyalty their government

Germany’s Post War Weimar Republic Faced enormous economic problems The democratic government that was set up in Germany after 1919. They signed the Treaty of Versailles and as a result the population saw the government as traitors Weimar Republic would prove to have serious weaknesses. Faced enormous economic problems Spent $37 Billion in W.W.I but only taxed its people $1.5 Billion. To make up difference Germany printed money when needed. Skyrocketing inflation. Money lost its value. The new representatives of the Weimar Republic had been the one’s to sign the treaty of Versailles. Therefore, much of the population saw the government as traitors. Most Germans would blame the Weimar government and its weak leaders for German’s problems. Government is always the easy scapegoat. Who or what was really to blame? Reality is the war caused Germany’s problems

The German Mark

The Dawes Plan Germany recovered from the 1923 inflation. Headed by Charles Dawes (American) Financial plan to strengthen the German Economy $200 Million loan from America banks to stabilize Germany currency. Set realistic schedule for Germany’s reparations payments Extremely Successful By 1929 Germany factories were producing as much as they had in 1913. Charles Dawes was an American banker and statesman. He would head an international committee that worked out a financial plan to strengthen Germany’s economy.

A Hope For Peace As prosperity returned to Germany they returned to playing an active role in European affairs. 1925 Germany and France signed a treaty France and Germany should never make war against each other. Germany will respect existing borders of France and Belgium As a result Germany was admitted into the League of Nations. Germany’s foreign minister befriended Frances foreign minister. France’s foreign minister was a moderate who favored better relations with Germany. This treaty in 1928 would lead to a bigger peace pact.

Kellogg-Briand Pact The Kellogg-Briand Pact Originally an agreement between America and France. Other countries would agree as well. Countries that signed the treaty pledged to “renounce war as an instrument of national policy.” Nearly every country in the world would sign.

????????????? What could be a potential problem with the Kellogg-Briand Pact? There was no realistic way to punish a country that broke its promise of peace. The League of Nations was the obvious way to enforce the treaty, however it had no armed forces of its own.

Kellogg-Briand Pact: 1928 15 nations committed outlawing aggression and war for settling disputes Problem  no way to enforce

1920s U.S. economy was enjoying a boom in the 1920s. But this growth disguised problems. Weaknesses in the American Economy will cause serious problems. Wealth is distributed unevenly Most people are to poor to buy goods produced Factory owners cut back on production and lay off employees Farmers produce more food than people can eat. Framers cannot repay loans and lose their land.

The Great Depression In 1929, stock prices in the United States plunged. The Great Depression was in effect. Long business slump of the 1930s Marked by bank failures, loss of savings, and unemployment. Although the Great depression started largely in the United States

Not only the U.S. When the American economy collapsed, the shock waves were felt around the world. After the stock market crash, worried American investors began to call back their loans abroad to cope with the crisis at home. This withdrawal dealt a hard blow to the economy of Western Europe.

World Wide Depression The effects of the depression were felt worldwide. Trade between nations dropped Unemployment rates increased Because of war debts and dependence on American loans, Germany and Austria were particularly hard hit. World production fell by 38% between 1929-1932. Nations decided to raise tariffs (taxes on imported goods from other countries)….The goal was to increase sales by local countries….it backfired. Effects felt World Wide….between the years of 1929 and 1932 world production fell by 38% Nationwide the world suffered…even places like Latin America. Few countries now bought the sugar, beef, and copper they produced.

Note to Mrs. Murray Go to Depression Power Point, parts I and II with fill in notes